Checking in on Some Former Zips

[Captain Kangaroo]

I think zipmeister hacked someone’s account?

[Zippy87]

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Steve and his dad are incredible people. This is awesome news for Steve.

[GJGood]

Brian Walsh

https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/buckeyes/brian-walsh-joins-ohio-state-mens-basketball-as-assistant-coach/amp/

[Let'sGoZips94]

Nate got his degree.

[ZZZips]

ZIPSWATCHER  hasn't lost his ability to spot a former Zip.  It took me at least a minute to find Serb even after Zipwatcher identified who I'm trying to find.

 

 

[MDZip]

On 5/31/2025 at 9:53 AM, ZZZips said:

ZIPSWATCHER  hasn't lost his ability to spot a former Zip.  It took me at least a minute to find Serb even after Zipwatcher identified who I'm trying to find.

 

 

SPOILER alert! Just above the basketball. 

[Zippy87]

Former Zips Still Playing

 

Nate Johnson - Kansas State

James Okonkwo - Utah

Josiah Harris - Cleveland State

Ryan Prather Jr. - Robert Morris

Darrion Baker - SIU Edwardsville

 

Am I missing anyone?

[HoopsFan03]

Kobe Mitchell plays for Walsh. He was the leading scorer last year.

 

[zippyfan34]

On 10/26/2025 at 12:59 AM, Zippy87 said:

Former Zips Still Playing

 

Nate Johnson - Kansas State

James Okonkwo - Utah

Josiah Harris - Cleveland State

Ryan Prather Jr. - Robert Morris

Darrion Baker - SIU Edwardsville

 

Am I missing anyone?

Exhibitions games 

Johnson- started in loss to Missouri. Played second most minutes with 23.  Shot 5-11 to be second leading scorer at 14 points.  Also tied with rebounding lead at 6, 2 assists, 3 TOs, a block and steal.

 

Okonkwo-didn’t start but played 15 minutes.  Was 3-3 for 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 TOs, 1 block

 

 

[zippyfan34]

Okonkwo did not play in Utahs first game last night due to serving a three-game transfer eligibility hold.  

[kreed5120]

2 hours ago, zippyfan34 said:

serving a three-game transfer eligibility hold.  

 

I didn't know there were transfer penalties still in existence.

[Blue & Gold]

Could this be why Cody Head hasn't played?

[Zippy87]

Nate was fantastic in his K State debut

 

https://x.com/lockedonKState/status/1985908752688861571?t=n6yosIV1zuU3LUMxPD1-_w&s=19

[MDZip]

I would never wish anything bad on him and appreciate everything he did for us but seeing him in that uniform still makes me a little ill. 

[HoopsFan03]

9 hours ago, Zippy87 said:

Nate was fantastic in his K State debut

 

https://x.com/lockedonKState/status/1985908752688861571?t=n6yosIV1zuU3LUMxPD1-_w&s=19

I wish Nate well but that was a cupcake game. Let's see how he does against Kansas and Peterson from CVCA. 

[kreed5120]

I think he will be fine at Kansas State. He has the size and athleticism to keep up. I'm sure he won't be putting up 20 9 9 a night against better teams, but something more modest like 10 3 3 is doable.

 

PJ Haggerty is expected to be the star on that team and draw a lot of the defenses attention. Nate is likely expected to be the 3rd or 4th scoring option whose job is to defend the opposing teams best guard.

[1981 grad]

I just read that g league players make $40,000 a year unless they are on a 2 way contract like Freeman who makes around $500,000, half the NBA minimum.  Therefore, Nate is now making the most money he will probably ever make in his career.  In other words, his salary will peak as a college player.  I hate that he transferred but I cannot blame him for making this move.  This is college athletics.  Akron is the G league for major conferences.

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, 1981 grad said:

I just read that g league players make $40,000 a year unless they are on a 2 way contract like Freeman who makes around $500,000, half the NBA minimum.  Therefore, Nate is now making the most money he will probably ever make in his career.  In other words, his salary will peak as a college player.  I hate that he transferred but I cannot blame him for making this move.  This is college athletics.  Akron is the G league for major conferences.

 

He would make a lot more in Europe over the G-League. The top players there make in the millions, but it's unlikely he would reach that level. He will probably make low 6-figures somewhere overseas after graduation, which would still be far less than he is making at Kansas State so your point still stands.

Edited Wednesday at 04:40 PM by kreed5120

[LZIp]

On 11/5/2025 at 11:32 AM, kreed5120 said:

 

He would make a lot more in Europe over the G-League. The top players there make in the millions, but it's unlikely he would reach that level. He will probably make low 6-figures somewhere overseas after graduation, which would still be far less than he is making at Kansas State so your point still stands.

What do we think he’s making at K State?

[kreed5120]

19 minutes ago, LZIp said:

What do we think he’s making at K State?

 

I don't know how accurate it was and don't remember who posted it, but someone here posted he got ~1 million.

[clarkwgriswold]

3 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I don't know how accurate it was and don't remember who posted it, but someone here posted he got ~1 million.

 

I heard $1.6M with multiple teams in the mix.

Edited 7 hours ago by clarkwgriswold

[kreed5120]

3 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

I heard $1.6M with multiple teams in the mix.

 

I'm obviously an avid Zips basketball fan. That said, if I had a son who was gifted enough to play D1 basketball and was on the Zips and some school came offering him that kind of money, I would be the one packing his bags. That's life altering money at a young age. Assuming he's not stupid with managing it.

[LZIp]

3 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I'm obviously an avid Zips basketball fan. That said, if I had a son who was gifted enough to play D1 basketball and was on the Zips and some school came offering him that kind of money, I would be the one packing his bags. That's life altering money at a young age. Assuming he's not stupid with managing it.

Back of the napkin airport math - assume approx $1mm after taxes and invested in the stock market until he’s 60 - would have about $24mm.

[kreed5120]

40 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Back of the napkin airport math - assume approx $1mm after taxes and invested in the stock market until he’s 60 - would have about $24mm.

Yes, athletes careers are relatively short. If he's able to live off his overseas basketball income until he's ~35 that money should grow enough that he could be in a position to retire (if he wants to) without needing to get another 8-5 post basketball.