a year from now

[ZachTheZip]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

[Z.I.P.]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

Zeke Marshall. Think Larry Sanders (not the cable talk show guy, the ex-VCU center). That is a good approximation of his upside. Look up Sanders stats for years 1 & 2. Probably very similar, though I don't know.

[RowdyZip]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

Two years from now...

[g-mann17]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

Two years from now...

Exactly

[bandzip]

Cleveland State's Norris Cole just went 28th overall to Chicago (trade rights to Minn).

[ZachTheZip]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

Two years from now...

Exactly

Not if this year's team lives up to their own expectations. Sweet 16 gets Zeke drafted, although depending on the dynamics he might get a better pick if he stays for four. Sweet 16 also gets Nik a very nice Euro contract.

[Zipmeister]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

Two years from now...

Exactly

Not if this year's team lives up to their own expectations. Sweet 16 gets Zeke drafted, although depending on the dynamics he might get a better pick if he stays for four. Sweet 16 also gets Nik a very nice Euro contract.

amazing insight.

[Doug Snyder]

Cleveland State's Norris Cole just went 28th overall to Chicago (trade rights to Minn).

I think he was drafted by Minn and traded to Miami.

[Doug Snyder]

A year from right now will we all be talking about which NBA team will be drafting Zeke Marshall?

Its amazing how teams are thinking about using top 5 draft picks on completely raw european kids based solely on height and a few decent workouts and one or two games.

Two years from now...

Exactly

Not if this year's team lives up to their own expectations. Sweet 16 gets Zeke drafted, although depending on the dynamics he might get a better pick if he stays for four. Sweet 16 also gets Nik a very nice Euro contract.

LOL they must have better drugs on campus than when I was there ;-)

[Quickzips]

Been thinking a lot about this one lately. While you never know where exactly a kid's head is, I just do not get the impression from Zeke that he is looking for the first opportunity available to bolt for the NBA. This is a kid for whom academics seem to be a real priority, and unless he gets to the point where he would be a high lottery pick, I just can't see him making that leap after just his junior year. He would have to take a pretty massive step forward in his progression to get to that point. Right now I suspect that a lot of NBA teams would be looking at Zeke and seeing a lot of athletic talent, a great shot-blocker, but a very raw offensive player who struggles mightily with foul trouble. In most drafts (this year was atypical as the potential for a lockout scared off a lot of top college prospects) that is a guy you take MAYBE late first round. More likely than not somewhere mid-second round. We'll see what happens next year, but I really believe we will see Zeke suiting up for the blue and gold for all 4 years.

Btw, Norris Cole was drafted by Chicago, traded to Minnesota and then traded from Minnesota to Miami.

[skip-zip]

I know some of these draft picks will make you shake your head. But, these teams are simply looking for guys with something that will help them win games. I think NBA teams are far less likely to need guys with a more complete list of skills than college teams.

That dweeb from OSWho got picked simply because he has shown he can consistently hit 3-pointers. He's a one dimensional player. But, if he can hit a few of those in a 5-10 minute stretch during a game, it's a great pick for somebody. Others get picked because they showed that they are a ferocious rebounder who can also hit a mid-range jumper, or simply that they appear to be able to slash to the basket unusually well for their size, etc.

To apply this to Zeke's situation, my guess would be the only thing that gets noticed at this point is his shot blocking. That can be a tough one because it's at least partially due to his superior physical stature over the guys in the league he plays in. But, what if someone believed that blocking 8-10 shots a game against NBA players was possible? Or, if he ever shows he can score with any kind of consistency down in the blocks? Or, starts hitting a foul line jumper?

Yes, a Sweet 16 appearance would have more people looking at you, but it's not likely to change a wise scout's evaluation of the skills you may or may not have that can help their particular situation.

[GoZips]

Cleveland State's Norris Cole just went 28th overall to Chicago (trade rights to Minn).

I suppose that this is an indictment as to how weak this draft is.

[skip-zip]

Cleveland State's Norris Cole just went 28th overall to Chicago (trade rights to Minn).

I suppose that this is an indictment as to how weak this draft is.

I'll wait to see if the Lebron Bashers up in Cleveland go on another tirade thinking that Miami acquired a Cleveland player out of spite.

[akronzips71]

Getting drafted does not guarantee him a job.

If for the sake of this conversation he was to get drafted after his junior year and does not make it into the NBA he is just another unemployed seven footer without a college degree.

Since he has not yet achieved superstar status, he SAFE move is to get the degree before making the leap. Like everyone else, athletes need to earn a living. You only give up that last year when you have so much talent that someone is going to give you a really big no cut contract with a signing bonus and you don't ever need to worry about money again.

If he does not get into the NBA, he will at least be a local hero with a degree and someone will give him a good job.

[MaxZIP]

Getting drafted does not guarantee him a job.

If for the sake of this conversation he was to get drafted after his junior year and does not make it into the NBA he is just another unemployed seven footer without a college degree.

Since he has not yet achieved superstar status, he SAFE move is to get the degree before making the leap. Like everyone else, athletes need to earn a living. You only give up that last year when you have so much talent that someone is going to give you a really big no cut contract with a signing bonus and you don't ever need to worry about money again.

If he does not get into the NBA, he will at least be a local hero with a degree and someone will give him a good job.

Can he get "cut" in the NBA?

[Quickzips]

Getting drafted does not guarantee him a job.

If for the sake of this conversation he was to get drafted after his junior year and does not make it into the NBA he is just another unemployed seven footer without a college degree.

Since he has not yet achieved superstar status, he SAFE move is to get the degree before making the leap. Like everyone else, athletes need to earn a living. You only give up that last year when you have so much talent that someone is going to give you a really big no cut contract with a signing bonus and you don't ever need to worry about money again.

If he does not get into the NBA, he will at least be a local hero with a degree and someone will give him a good job.

Can he get "cut" in the NBA?

Under the current CBA he most certainly could. Currently only first round draft choices are given a guaranteed contract. 2nd rounders and undrafted players aren't given any type of a guarantee. In fact, you see quite a few 2nd rounders each year who don't even make it through the preseason with the team that drafted them. With the talent expected in next years draft Zeke would have to make a pretty sizable leap in his progression to go in the first round. Of course, the NBA is about to go through the same CBA/lockout issues currently facing the NFL, so all of this may change.

[GP1]

I seriously doubt Zeke plays in the NBA regardless of how he may get there. If his defense improves, maybe he could make it as a back-up. Keep in mind Zeke averaged less than 10 points per game last season in the MAC....in the MAC. An NBA team would be looking for a better offensive skill set even from a back-up player. We're a long way from talking about Zeke as an NBA player. We've had better players than him over the past few years who haven't sniffed the NBA.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I seriously doubt Zeke plays in the NBA regardless of how he may get there. If his defense improves, maybe he could make it as a back-up. Keep in mind Zeke averaged less than 10 points per game last season in the MAC....in the MAC. An NBA team would be looking for a better offensive skill set even from a back-up player. We're a long way from talking about Zeke as an NBA player. We've had better players than him over the past few years who haven't sniffed the NBA.

Feel free to bring this post back to the top in late-March 2012.

Or this one.

[GP1]

I seriously doubt Zeke plays in the NBA regardless of how he may get there. If his defense improves, maybe he could make it as a back-up. Keep in mind Zeke averaged less than 10 points per game last season in the MAC....in the MAC. An NBA team would be looking for a better offensive skill set even from a back-up player. We're a long way from talking about Zeke as an NBA player. We've had better players than him over the past few years who haven't sniffed the NBA.

Feel free to bring this post back to the top in late-March 2012.

You can bring it up all you want. I didn't say he wouldn't, I said he is a long way from the NBA. Lots of good players never make the NBA or any other sports league.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I seriously doubt Zeke plays in the NBA regardless of how he may get there. If his defense improves, maybe he could make it as a back-up. Keep in mind Zeke averaged less than 10 points per game last season in the MAC....in the MAC. An NBA team would be looking for a better offensive skill set even from a back-up player. We're a long way from talking about Zeke as an NBA player. We've had better players than him over the past few years who haven't sniffed the NBA.

Feel free to bring this post back to the top in late-March 2012.

You can bring it up all you want. I didn't say he wouldn't, I said he is a long way from the NBA. Lots of good players never make the NBA or any other sports league.

It's easy to look at stats of a 20-year old and say "he's a long way from the NBA." Everyone knows it. It's more interesting and insightful to project future performance. Big men develop slow, and Zeke's on pace with just about every other lanky 7-footer to play NBA ball. This is his watershed year. I'm guessing it's a good one...unless he gets some Serbian girlfriend to distract him.

[ZachTheZip]

I'd say Zeke's skillset is already more developed than either of those two European ogres taken in the top 5 this year. They were drafted on potential alone, as projects.

[Zip Watcher]

I'm not sure when Zeke will be drafted, but I'm pretty sure at least 2 of the 2011-2012 Zips will spend some time in the NBA.

[Doug Snyder]

I'd say Zeke's skillset is already more developed than either of those two European ogres taken in the top 5 this year. They were drafted on potential alone, as projects.

There is a big difference. The Euro's are trained in how to play the game correctly. They make foul shots, are good passers and know how to play zone and help defense. AND...they can be stashed and watched while they play in Europe and they keep their contract rights, Most of the guys you mention are expected to play one or 2 more years in Europe and the teams will not incur any costs. If you draft Marshall, you will spend money and he would have to prove he has talent to develop within maybe a 3 month period. And...Marshal has never shown the "fire in the belly" to do whatever it takes to improve or win. That is why the Cav’s took Eyenga last year with the last pick in the 1st round. They did not commit to any money and he would develop in Europe for a few years until they thought he was ready. Unfortunately he was not being used very well in France and they decided it was better to develop him over here. They did the same for a big center from Kansas that is playing in Russia now. He has been there for 2 years and will probably be another 2 more. But he costs nothing and they maintain his rights.

This will be a very important year in his development. I think he will eventually get drafted but I am not sure if he sticks long term or if he will make anyone's rotation. I hope he does. He seems like a good kid and it would be great for the Zips.

[GoZips]

Wow .... !!!!! Forget the LeBron bashers.

We have Zeke Marshall bashers in our own midst.

First we have GP1, who has never even seen Zeke play in the flesh declaring that

Zeke is unfit for the NBA. And, others claiming this and that about the kid that he can not cut

the NBA mustard. Get a life. Zeke will play in the NBA if he wants. He has all the tools.

What's more, his maturation is kicking in and he will not be a 218# string bean.

By the end of the 2011-12 season Zeke will be filled out and a literal beast on the court.

Zeke showed his skill set and potential in the MAC Championship game. That was not a fluke.

That was Zeke coming to play. You will see a lot more of the same in the 2011-12 season.

A well known college basketball coach (not on the Akron staff) told me that Zeke will have a nice

career in the NBA. I agree.

Grow up and find something more positive to rattle your heads about.

[Roo]

I seriously doubt Zeke plays in the NBA regardless of how he may get there. If his defense improves, maybe he could make it as a back-up. Keep in mind Zeke averaged less than 10 points per game last season in the MAC....in the MAC. An NBA team would be looking for a better offensive skill set even from a back-up player. We're a long way from talking about Zeke as an NBA player. We've had better players than him over the past few years who haven't sniffed the NBA.

I have not been impressed with Zeke thus far as a Zip. He clearly is not close to being anything that resembles a basketball player. That said, he is still 7 foot tall, athletic as hell, can run, defend and block shots. Some NBA team is going to think they can develop him enough offensively that he can be a defender.

You bring up his stats in the MAC, that is really irrelevent. John Edwards barely played at Can't State and had a short NBA career. Why? Because he was 7 foot tall. People will gamble and make sure he has no game before they never give him a chance.

Zeke is a guaranteed first round pick if he comes out after his senior year. Book it.