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A Day One DNP is not a good sign. Neither is this quote: "You just can't play everyone." - Michael Curry on Zeke Marshall's DNP

Ummmm....

The USA basketball thing was an excuse to use so he didn't take a PR hit.

Jeremy Lin, Danny Green, JJ Barea, Matt Barnes, CJ Watson, Brandon Bass, Avery Bradley, Aaron Brooks, Shannon Brown, Marcin Gortat, Ramon Sessions, and Chris Anderson all spent time in the D-League prior to being added to NBA rosters. Not sure why Zeke going D-League would kill his career...

No big shock here - Zeke getting drafted would have been a pleasant surprise but I never thought it'd happen for three reasons: 1) Zeke is not NBA-ready. He can develop and become NBA-ready in time, but not 2013-2014. He'll need to play in the D-League and work his way up, which, again, he can do. 2) Teams prefer European players for many 2nd Round picks. Not because they don't want the pick/player - that's not accurate - but more because they can stash them overseas and let them develop without paying their contracts. Once they are deemed ready, the team purchases their contract. If they are deemed a bust, they let them go. Hopefully Zeke lands with the Spurs. Great system, great coaches, get the absolute most out of their talent.

Please no Miami...

When I was a kid my favorite baseball player wrapped his car around a tree because he was highly intoxicated. I was upset/confused, but I clearly remember what my dad told me - people make mistakes, and that I should look at said player's good qualities (playing hard, being a leader on the field, etc) and try to have those qualities in myself. Alex is a good kid who messed up big time. Maybe your son can still envy some of his good qualities.

Made me smile when I read this...Q is a man on a mission.

Interesting note: Many have made jokes about Quincy since the news was announced - calling him a woman beater, saying Dambrot doesn't run a respectable program, etc. As you can guess, many of these tweets are coming from Athens. Quincy's response? Nothing...kind of. He hasn't replied to a single negative tweet or responded to them generally. But he has "favorited" many of them. For those unfamiliar with Twitter, favoriting a tweet basically allows you to save it for yourself. Just a guess, but I'm thinking Quincy is saving these for added motivation. I'm predicting the best Q we've ever seen -motivated, energized, and playing with chip on his shoulder. And I'd expect two huge games against OU.

This shouldn't come as a shock...there's just not much draft buzz around Zeke outside of Akron. I'm predicting Zeke starting next year for the Canton Charge. He needs a year or two to develop before hitting the NBA.

Thank you for your input. Some of us have close ties to the program but you are the only poster who has been a part of the process. Great insight!

I'm not saying it bothers them, I'm saying it bothers me.

I'll make my argument and then I'm over talking about LeBron. I come here to talk Zips - I'm sure HeatNation exists for LeBron talk. I know how hard the coaches work behind the scenes. They don't have an offseason - they are always looking for the next Zeke or Tree. They travel out of state and out of the country (Abreu/Melo). Thy sacrifice time with their wives and kids, relaxation, vacations that aren't games, etc etc etc. I know it's their job, but they do it so well that for the past 7 years we've been able to watch exciting teams and have been able to attend 7 straight Saturday's at The Q. Their hard work has also allowed us to watch our beloved Zips 3 times in March Madness. They are an incredible, incredible staff. I also know our players bust their butts. Yes, they get a free education, but they also make sacrifices. They work year-round to improve, all while keeping strong academics. From Dru, Romeo, and Wood to Linhart to McNees to Zeke and now Tree...they have won the games. They have represented our school in a way that allows us to be proud of the program. They are the talent that has taken this program to the next level. And then I see this: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab...impact/1940873/ "Akron College Hoops Program Thriving Thanks to LeBron" In my mind, it's a complete slap in the face to our coaches and players. And it's not the only article written with that opinion. Yes, LeBron helps. No, I do not think he helps as much as some make it out to be. No, even as a Cavs fan, I don't hate LeBron. I hated The Decision (who didn't?) but respect his talent. I also know he's not a bad guy and is very charitable to the Akron area. I'm just tired of the notion that LeBron is playing some huge role in making the program what it is today and I'd like to see more appreciation for Dambrot, McFadden, the other coaches and GA's, and the Zips like Dru, Romeo, Wood, Linhart, Zeke, etc who have helped turn the program around

Every player since Dru/Romeo? I hope you're kidding...

It does exist!

Bingo. LeBron helps UA when it helps promote him or his brand. Not saying that's bad - he's a businessman - but it's the truth.

I think Dambrot says these things because it doesn't hurt and he'll accept any advantage, no matter how big or small. Do you really expect him, when asked if LeBron helps recruiting, to say no? He's overly supportive of his former player because that's who he is (not a bad thing).

He can't promote Akron as well? For a guy who reportedly does so much for the program, he can't be spotted wearing a Nike Zips basketball shirt or a Zips hat for 2 or 3 of the 365 days of the year? Still waiting for one player he helped in influencing to sign with UA...

If we're going with personal attacks, I'll respond by telling you how foolish you are to believe that the high school players would commit to a college/university because an NBA player they like stops in and plays pick-up basketball with the team a few times per year. It's an especially foolish idea given that said NBA player ACTIVELY recruits for other programs, one of them in our state. The talent we've brought in is 1) On-Court success 2) Superb recruiting efforts by the staff 3) A recently-new willingness by KD to bring on at-risk players he steered clear of before (Tree, Harney) and Jucos/Transfers (Walsh, Gilliam, Evans) Again, nobody is saying the LeBron connection hurts. Having the NBA MVP tied to your program, even loosely, is a plus. But the impact LeBron has on our program is severely overstated. (I'm still waiting for an example of a player LeBron helped bring nere)

No, I'm not sure why it would. I'd show them the Akron-Can't MAC Final from 3 years ago. Now THAT would have an impact. That and if LeBron would just once be spotted in Zips basketball gear...there's plenty of pictures out there of him repping OSU and Kentucky though.

So because they know who LeBron James is, that means it impacts our recruiting? Using the same line of thinking, President Obama and the Pope must help us too, because high school kids have heard of them. I guess I'm foolish though because I disagree with you? Also makes sense...

I'll repost this: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat...lp-pick-college “I’m a top 5 player in the country in class of 2013. Where should I go to college Mr. James?” Walker asked James on Twitter. “If LeBron hits me back and tells me where he thinks I should go, I’d do it,” Walker told ESPN’s Jason Jordan in an interview this week. “In my opinion, he’s the best player in the league and I really look up to him. Plus, he’s the King. Gotta listen to the King, right?” When James heard about the request he offered some advice, and a few school suggestions. "The advice I would give Chris Walker is to follow his heart and go where he believes he can help the program and they can give him a great education,” James told ESPN.com. “Of course Ohio State and Kentucky are my two favorite programs for many reasons. They have great basketball programs, great coaches, players and are two of the best colleges in America. But with that said, Chris you will know where you want to go when the time comes. I'm looking forward to seeing you make the decision and take your talents to that program and shine.”

Sure, they know LeBron. Every kid is also aware of Akron's 8 straight 20+ win seasons, 7 straight MAC Final appearances, and NCAA Tournament bids in 3 of the last 5 years. Maybe Momma Zeke can correct me if I'm wrong, but Zeke came here because of his connection the coaches. Demetrius Treadwell and Nick Harney came here because of the coaches. Alex Abreu and Carmelo Betancourt = coaches. I'm not a LeBron basher. Like I said, he doesn't hurt, that's for sure. Anything helps. What I am is a person tired of the incredible job our coaches do in finding talented winners and recruiting them to come here being attributed to a connection LeBron has to UA. Sure, KD says LeBron helps a lot with recruiting- he absolutely loves LeBron...he's going to say those things. I'm still waiting for a name though.

Can anyone name me a recruit he helped bring in? Just looking for one name. Or tell me why he only helps "behind the scenes" here but openly helps OSU and Kentucky recruit? Does his association to UA help? Absolutely. It's the impact he brings to our program that is completely overblown.

Nobody is bashing him. The donation is wonderful for St. V and a great gesture by LBJ. The frustrating part is we keep hearing about how much LeBron helps UA with very limited evidence of that actually happening.