FromdaBurgh

Hello Zip Nation:Check out this snippet that was written about Zeke's performance at the WV Jamfest on Scouts.com:MORGANTOWN, WVa. – Big men Zeke Marshall and Chris Braswell tangled at the Hoop Group Triple S Harley Davidson Shootout. Though his team was bounced, power forward Dante Taylor made his presence felt. Chris Braswell vs. Zeke Marshall – The presence of a 7-footer is one of the true game changing elements of the game. Marshall's size frustrated Braswell early. The Akron pledge would go on to accrue a bunch of fouls and block 11 shots. The light is flushing as he's getting aggressive at both ends and we expect him to be a true MAC impact player. As for Braswell, the savvy veteran began figuring out Marshall and had a fine showing. Braswell's a crafty guy and hung in there until he found the right formula in the paint. "We will not be scheduling them anytime soon." Atlantic 10 head coach after watching Akron commit Zeke Marshall I wish he would have included the fact that Zeke scored 20 points in this particular game. 18 points at his 3:30 game and 25 points in the Semi-Final game (which they played Wed. AM) WAIT THERES MORE..... I found THIS comment very, very interesting on a W.PA BE school's blog (who I will not name)...I think the staff definitely wants a defensive minded post player. They were front and center in WV at the Hoop Fest watching a Triple Threat team with several top big men (Chris Braswell, Talib Zanna, along with a couple young wing targets Pitt likes), but they were stymied at the rim by Zeke Marshall, who registered 11 blocks in the contest. Just thinking how he could fit in with Taylor being the physical specimen and Marshall the shot-blocker would be a nice 1-2 punch. Now, hoping Thomas Robinson is the answer. Although just in the 6'8 range, he is an aggressive shot blocker and hig motor on defense and the glass. How much has his recruitment taken off? He was a player with a single A-10 offer this spring...now, he has the attention of Duke...I just LOVE IT...LOVE IT....LOVE IT!!!

Check out this link: http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/lebron-final-2008.aspZeke is ranked #26 overall and the #6 center for the Academy. Nice...nice....

Good Evening ZipNation...So, for all of you who wonder whether or not Zeke's verbal commitment is solid...take a moment to read what he said in Rise Magazine: * * * Akron's men's basketball team had a pretty good year in 2008, making it to the MAC finals and earning a berth to the NIT. Still, it's somewhat surprising to find a player at the LeBron James Skills Academy, which features 80 of the nation's best players, who has committed to the Zips. As coaching legends Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Calhoun and Jim Boeheim watched their recruits, Akron coach Keith Dambrot got to watch his pledge, Zeke Marshall, a 7-foot rising junior from McKeesport (McKeesport, Pa.). It's safe to say that over the next year, plenty of coaches from power conferences are going to come after Marshall. He's still pretty raw offensively, but is already a force on defense and can run the floor like few 7-footers his age can. But Marshall was emphatic that his commitment is firm. "You have players committed to Arizona, North Carolina, huge schools like that and they're making fun of me because I committed to Akron, but I don't care what other people think," Marshall said. "I'm not going back on my decision because I did commit. Most schools that are big now needed someone to represent them. You need good players to attract other good players." If Marshall refines his offensive game, he'll be a no-doubt ACC talent in the MAC. The Zips can't wait for Signing Day 2009 to get here. * * *

OK...so my oldest son sent me this email and I just sat back and SMILED.... Subject: NBA Draft last nightThe number 12 pick to the Sacramento Kings was Jason Thompson from Rider University. He was Stepheny's prom date. You should read up on him. Zeke has some similarities. Jason is 6'11, played in the MAAC conference, was defensive minded, made first team all defense. He was drafted ahead of Roy Hibbert (drafter #21) from Gtown (Big East Conference)!! How about that... for all those Pitt bloggers who believe that big man going to smaller conferences and smaller schools can't be NBA material.I L-O-V-E this email....it is soooo true!!!!! Take that PITT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG!!! Cartman is my freakin HERO... I L-O-V-E-D THAT EPISODE..... I showed Zeke the video and he fell out laughing. OK..so for all of you who are watching the NBA Draft 2night...realize that in about 4-5 years...that is going to be BIG ZEKE--from AKRON going top 5 first round....Momma wants Phoenix..but hey wherever God sends him we will be certain to bless him.

Hey...I thought this was a "profanity free" blog.... Vacation...vacation...what the heck is that. Oh.wait..once, while at "band camp"...(in my best American Pie voice)..ooppss...my bad wrong kid. Uhm..well...last year I went to Myrtle Beach (watched 8 games, sat at the beach 2x--does that count) Geez..is this a "trick question"????

Yeah...I hope he makes it to Oregon also. What a wonderful opportunity to play against the top "international" players. That would be an experience to write home about for sure!!!!

GREAT ADVICE EVERYONE...well I started Zeke on this healthy "weight gain smoothie"...which consist of the following:1 cup of frozen strawberries1 cup of OJ1 cup of low fat strawberry yogurt1 large banana3 scoops of weight gain powder (but I'm only doing 2 for now)and 2 cups of crushed ice (my addition)He had his first drink tonight and drove me CRAZY with his...I can't drink this speech..blah..blah..blah!! Of course he did. I know that it is going to take him a little time to get use to the "thickness" of the drink...but I know that it will certainly be a huge benefit to him. GoZips..you are absolutely correct LASAGNE, LASAGNE and more LASAGNE..I'm giving him a bunch of pasta and potatoes with every meal. The good thing about the Stoudemire Big Man camp is that he came home with some FABULOUS and very VALUABLE information about how to gain weight the healthy way. So, I'm taking my cues from the info they gave him and by doing some research online. So day 1 has come and is going...I'll keep you up to date with his progress. Good night all....

Good Evening Zip Nation..I know you all havent heard from me in a while so I wanted to stop by and give you all an update on the Big Guy. Zeke flew back from Arizona yesterday (Monday) from the Stoudemire Big Man Camp and from the conversation we had in the car, he was very, very pleased with the camp. He said that he did very well and I know that Coach Boals had someone out there who gave him some positive feedback on Zeke. Of course, as most, if not all of us already know, Zeke still needs to put on some weight and strengthen his core..but he did mention that he was in the best shape out of all of the campers there. Zeke roomed with the biggest guy at the camp...dude was like 300+..WOW!! I asked him how were the workouts and he said H-A-R-D but that he did learn a WHOLE LOT while there. I gave him the day off today, but it is right back to work tomorrow (Wed). He has practice with his AAU team from 2:30 - 5:00 and then he has a game tomorrow night with the summer league that he is in..sponsored by Charlie Batch of the Pgh Steelers. Zeke is also working out with a strength and conditioning coach every day so that will continue on Thursday. He will be at St. Mary's college in WV on Sunday (playing in 3 scrimmage games against some WV AAU players) and then he will coming to the JAR---for the LBJ Skills Academy in July. I and my entire family will be up on Monday (7th) see him practice and to be a part of the Family Appreciation Day they are having. Then we will be bringing him home Tuesday and getting him ready for the WV Jamfest which starts on the 14th-16th. After that he will be back to his daily strength and conditioning and then off to Florida for 10 days for the AAU Nationals and Showcase. It is my prayer that Zeke will do well enough to be selected to participate in the Nike International Tournament which will be held in August in Oregon. They will be picking the top 30 players from the LBJ Skills Academy to participate in this event...where he could be, if chosen, play against players from Argentina, Europe, China and some other "out-of-the-country" places. What a wonderful opportunity that would be. So ZipNation....Big Zeke is working really, really hard to get himself in good shape not only for his upcoming senior year..but for his incoming freshman year as a ZIP....PS..you guys would not believe how many calories a day Zeke needs to consume in order to put on some weight (the healthy way)....READY...5200 Yeah, yeah...NO BEER but the PIZZA is definitely doable.

I GET FIRST DIBS.....I'll have him autograph it for you for $5.00 (one time deal only) HA HA! HA! Just make sure you don't tell

I agree with that 100%. And Huggins would come to The Q too (he ain't comin' to the JAR).Now come on Zip Nation....WVU?? No, no, no....PITT!! Give Zeke the chance to jam the darn ball DOWN THEIR THROATS!!! Now that would be a game worth coming too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are funny.......No GoZips...Zeke's prom date is not looking at Akron. I'm not sure where she is going? But just for the record.... They are just friends..no serious relationship there. Yo..ZipWatcher...are you trying to GET ME KILLED!!!!!!!!!!! Dude...no offensive..but ummmm, well, ummmm isn't this 2008??? Don't know if that look will go over well with the Big Fella....

Not tough at all CK....as a matter of fact, we've already picked out his tux for next year. He is going to wear a Zoot Suit (you know..the kind of suits that have the pocket watch chain hanging down)...hat, cane and the works...

Hey one and all...My husband sent me this link talking about the MAC Conference expanding to 14...included is adding Temple and Western Kentucky...check it out...http://blog.mlive.com/fireupchips/2008/05/...to_14_team.html

MY...MY!!! Haven't you all been busy. Very interesting threads recently. Well...there are a few new things to share with you all....Zeke went to the Prom last week.. I'll put the other pics up in a couple of days (they are being developed). The other piece of news is that Zeke has been invited to the NIKE/STOUDEMIRE Big Man camp which is being held in Arizona next month...WHICH ALSO gives him entry to the LBJ camp at Akron in July!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right now, he is trying to get through FINALS without destroying ALL OF HIS BRAIN CELLS... He has his Chem final (I think today)--what a way to end the school week. I think by the time I go to get Zeke this afternoon..he'll probably be a zombie...and his guitar for his Guitar Hero game is broke...so he really isn't a happy camper right now. He has a tournament this weekend..as a matter of fact his first game is tonight at 8pm. It's a "local" tourney..no big deal...just something to keep him and his teammates busy. So, he has 1 game tonight, 1 game tomorrow and 3 games on Sunday. Thats the 411 for now. The last day of school for him is Wed.-June 4th. I'll holla back with you all as soon as I get the rest of those prom pics.Talk with ya soon...PEACE OUTZeke's Mom...

Cant wait to see what the "naysayers" have to say about these new rankings.....

Hey Zip Nation...I would love to hear your thoughts about this article I came across...Nation's top recruit still not cleared by NCAAThe nation's top-ranked high school player still isn't eligible to play college ball. Brandon Jennings, the 6-foot-1 point guard who recently moved to the top of Scout.com's Class of 2008 rankings, has achieved the necessary qualifying score on his standardized test to meet NCAA requirements, but has not been cleared to play. Jennings is committed to Arizona."He hasn't qualified yet," Jennings' Oak Hill Academy coach Steve Smith told FOXSports.com.According to sources close to the situation, Jennings originally took the standardized test back when he was at Compton Dominguez (Calif.) and scored poorly on it. Since his arrival at Oak Hill, there has been a dramatic jump in his test score.The NCAA is requiring Jennings to take the test again as a way to legitimize his score. It is unclear exactly how well Jennings will have to do on his retake to satisfy the NCAA. Sources maintain that Jennings will have two more opportunities to prove his score was legitimate. When reached by FOXSports.com, Arizona coach Lute Olson said he is unable to comment on academic issues related to recruits.Ironically, the last player who didn't qualify out of Oak Hill was Stephen Jackson, who signed with Arizona and wound up having to spend one year in the junior college ranks before going to the NBA.Seems to me as though they may be "implying" that this kid didn't take the SAT's "himself"...perhaps he had some assistance. Whatever comes of this...it certainly can turn ugly for Prep Schools across the country.

Hey...they don't want the Big Guy to embarrass too many people...

Blue & Gold...it is surreal, unbelievable and absolutely AWESOME...but more importantly me and my entire family give ALL THE GLORY TO GOD!!! I sometimes pinch myself to see if this is actually happening or if I'm really in some kind of dream. We all know, those of us who are parents, that we want our children to experience success, be successful and happy...but to be walking this thing out is amazing. Is it scary...ABSOLUTELY..especially when you also know there are those "other people" out there who are nothing more than "HATERS" it can be scary. Keeping Zeke humble is the easy part (if you can believe that one)...Ezekiel is such a "low key", down to earth, easy going, I'm in my own world kind of a person. He is SOOOOOO NOT THE NORM...I think many people are afraid of that. Listen to this...Zeke HATES and I mean HATES rap music, doesn't listen to R&B or the kind of music that is sooo popular now...BUT will listen to some "old school" rap--the Run DMC and stuff like that...AND he LOVES JAZZ so to say Zeke is "special" is putting it mildly..NOT THAT MOMMA DON'T MIND...not at all. I know for a fact that Zeke is going to have A BLAST at Akron because of the kind of people you all are. ZipWatcher has definitely tapped into Zeke's humorous side...and many of you know when to pour it on and when to back off and allow him a "moment"!!! I'm so excited and happy for him and know that he has nothing but some really good times to look forward to in the next several years. Thanks Blue & Gold for asking..........

Here is a really nice article about the Big Guy:Men’s basketballRivals.com released a list of its top 150 players. Zeke Marshall comes in at No. 37. The Akron recruit also is the eighth-best center. Only 13 teams have received commitments from players ranked higher than Marshall.Hopefully Zips fans are beginning to recognize the magnitude of this. On defense, Marshall will immediately be a backstop for all slashing guards. He will be a pogo stick for offensive rebounds, put-backs and dunks.He is the MAC’s most touted recruit in the modern, Internet-crazed recruiting era. The reason he’s coming to Akron: the coaches. Marshall loves the coaches, and he developed a strong trust in them. The staff should get all kinds of credit for this monumental coup.http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/zips/2008/05/1...ncing-with-the-stars/

I have to admit that the thiings people are saying are very interesting. I just read through the blogs about Zeke and Akron and I have to agree with you QuickZips...as much as they "want" to talk like they really dont' care or that Zeke is probably not that good..the majority of the comments seem to be around the idea that Can't State missed out on a highly ranked recruit..and they realize that it is going to COST THEM in the long run. I wouldn't want to admit how screwed up my program was either. Even they admit that the "merry go round" concerning their coaches looks really, really bad...but I wonder how they would feel if they knew that Can't never showed any interest in Zeke in the first place. Boy..talk about that green monster coming out...JEALOUSY..is soooo ugly!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are tooo funny... Forget about the archway...they better make sure the FOOD COURT is slammin....thats all I'm sayin.... Zeke can eat...don't know where the HECK all those calories go...but he certainly can eat.

Good Morning Zip Family:As I'm getting ready for church I wanted you all to check out the link below. This is to a "pitt" blog and I want Zeke's new fam to read the nasty comments being left about Zeke's decision. As his mom...this stuff really hurts, but as an adult I do understand that everyone is entitled to their "own opinion" no matter how dumb it is or how "idiotic" and "immature" they sound. Just an FYI...have a great day everyone. http://www.pittblather.com/

Good Morning Zip Family:As I'm getting ready for church I wanted you all to check out the link below. This is to a "pitt" blog and I want Zeke's new fam to read the nasty comments being left about Zeke's decision. As his mom...this stuff really hurts, but as an adult I do understand that everyone is entitled to their "own opinion" no matter how dumb it is or how "idiotic" and "immature" they sound. Just an FYI...have a great day everyone. http://www.pittblather.com/

Well...here is the latest article about your NEW FAMILY MEMBER from the Pittsburgh Post...http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08131/880755-361.stm