Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
According to Evan Daniels at Scout.com, Ohio freshman Vinny Zollo has committed to Kentucky. Zollo, a member of the class of 2011, is listed at 6′7″ and 215 pounds, but those close to him believe he will be around 7 feet tall by the time he gets to campus. He projects as a power forward at the next level, although he has a game that allows him to play both inside and outside. Zollo is known to be an extremely hard worker and is, according to his mother, a huge Tyler Hansbrough fan.
Zollo visited UK for Big Blue Madness prior to the season and then made another trip during the season to watch the Arkansas game. He is the first verbal the Kentucky staff has received for the 2011 season and chose the Cats over Tennessee and West Virginia.
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May 5th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
At least hes in high school! Way to go Gillispie! Supposed to be a stud!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
YES!! this is why we love a real coach like Gillispie!! go get’em coach!! you da man chief!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Purely being selfish but are we going to have anything to talk about on this website in 2010 and 2011? Maybe we will be talking about the 2016 class!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Only the first verbal for 2011?? What have you been doing Gillispie?? Stop screwing around and start recruiting!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I love it!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Matt, I love the site but why is always the same posters day in and day out? Do you publicize this site at all? I would love to hear from some new posters. Thanks
May 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
#6 Forget about it! Same people all day all night, everyday.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Coach is amazing! I’m starting to believe this could be the perfect union of basketball obsessed coach with blueblood dynastic program that we enjoyed under Pitino, at least as far as recruiting is concerned. As for what will we be talking about in 2010 and 2011 - how about a National Championship? I think we could come up with a few words to say about that.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
God I love Billy Gillispie.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
The guy works non stop!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
This is how you get a roster full of McDonald’s All Americans. This will definately help newer recruits as well. They will see all the talent coming in the next four to twelve years and know they are in good company. At this rate we will catch up with UCLA before you know it.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Verdell Jones to Indiana by the way, but who really cares right now?
May 5th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Billy Clyde is the shaz-nat.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
12, Indiana needs all the help they can get
May 5th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Not only is Zollo a good basketball player, he’s also a known associate of John Gotti. What a badass!
http://www.ipsn.org/US_v_Gotti.htm
May 5th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
WHO CARES ABOUT INDIANA?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I heard Zollo is transferring to Scott County. That would be incredible!!!!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Dont say good things about billy, you know there is alot of people that hate him and still wish Tubby was here recruiting projects
May 5th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
If we can’t read about recruits in the off season, we can always read about Tenn players and Louisville players getting kicked out
May 5th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
18: Please leave the word Tubby out of this thread. This was going good until you opened your pie hole.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Watch out, the censor monster will gobble you up. Remember, you can’t blast the man.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
LOL, Avery, Ferguson, Zollo, Euton, Vilarino, Harrellson, Galloway, Liggins, Miller, etc!!!! WOW!!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Just wait until we get the plane!
May 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
(22) don’t forget kc ross-miller and my namesake…
May 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Rivals has Jon Hood listing UK as his favorite, which we know. But they don’t even have Duke listed as a possibility, I thought that was our big competition with this kid. I guess Rivals isn’t up to date.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
25) sadly I heard he would love to play for Duke, but Duke is not offering
May 5th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Any stats or info on Vinny? What will BCG when he fills all incoming classes up until 2020? Start recruiting based on ultrasound images?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Hope it stays that way. It’s probably because Hood isn’t a douche bag, and that’s one of Duke’s requirements. You must have a high SAT score, and a certified Douche card.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
How may kids can we bring in for 2009? I like Hood but there are 2 top centers that have us at the top of their list. Daniel Orten and Renardo Sydney. I think we only have one scholly for 09 unless(cover your ears if this hurts) Patterson leaves.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
29, that does hurt. Let’s think more along the lines of Carter being offered a job as O’Charley’s spokesperson.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I know Ferguson is supposed to be the truth, and Ross-Miller puts up stupid stats, and Euton had solid numbers for a soph… but I’ll hold excitement on these cats until they are really of age.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
31) I agree its hard to get worked up for players we have never even seen(i just saw my 1st picture of Zollo on Scout) but I am just excited by the fact these kids are looking to UK for our future and theirs.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I did forget about KC-Ross Miller, my bad. He’s real good from what I’ve heard.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I just read that J’Mison Morgan will be asking out of his LOI from LSU soon. Any word on who this kid is looking at now?
May 5th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Hey Matt, how true are the rumors that Zollo might transfer to Scott County? That would be great.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Tayshaun has been lightin it up in the playoffs. 8/10 already
May 5th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I love this guy!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Is Jared Carter a junior or a senior next year?
May 5th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I am really excited about the future of our C-A-T-S!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
thankfully/hopefully a Sr
May 5th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
35: I read somewhere that Zollo was looking at Scott County as well as Lex Cath. I live in Scott County but I wouldn’t mind seeing him at either school. I hope he comes to KY to play his high school hoops. I also heard teh 8th grader (Avery) wanted to come to Indiana to play his high school hoops. That would be cool too.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
#38: Carter will be a senior next year, but has the option of applying for a medical redshirt based on his medical circumstances from the 2006-2007 season. Here’s the thing about a medical redshirt; it’s not an automatic given. First, the school has to apply for the redshirt and then the NCAA has to grant the extra year of eligibility. Now, I’m not sure if Carter would remain on scholarship if he is granted a redshirt, but assuming he would be, then I find it hard to believe that Coach would want to Carter to take up another scholly to sit the bench when we could be giving it to Hood, Wall, Orton, whomever.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
If he is awarded a medical redshirt, Billy G should offer him a spot on the team but forget about using a scholarship on him. That would be a complete waste for the future.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Wow, the coaching staff has really been putting in the work and effort and it is really starting to bear fruit isn’t it?
Very, very nice ten days for UK recruiting-wise.
Knowing this staff and their reputation I’m sure they aren’t going to be resting on their laurels that’s for sure.
It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to an off season like this(and future one’s) to see who this staff will be signing.
Mark Liptak
May 5th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Here’s the best part of so many younger guys committing early (especially for Euton and Zollo): They’ll have automatic invites to the Elite Camp and can come play with the team during the summer. If Avery transfers to Culver Academy in Indiana, I’m sure he can swing down every now and then during the summer and play, as well. Basically, the opportunity exists for these guys to play together for 2-3 summers before they even get to campus. Now that is what creates a family and ultimately, a championship-caliber team.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Unlike what Merlene Davis wanted you to believe Tubby Smith didn’t come to Lexington just because UK was presenting him with an Honorary Humanities Degree.
Nope, in fact earlier that day he was spotted entering the back door of the Joe Craft center on UK’s campus. The hot ticket this weekend was the “Gillispie Elite Recruting Camp.”
Looks like Minnesota might be seeing a sudden surge in commitments!
Go Big Blue!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
#28 - that made me laugh.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Rivals is reporting J’Mison Morgan is asking for a release from LSU. Surely we have to be in the picture?
I like all of these commitments, but why must we take players so early? Seems like we’re assuming a lot of risk. Why should a school of UK’s caliber assume all of the risk? Regardless (or irregardless as they say in Tennessee), it’s a good problem to have.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
48 - I think the reason we are taking them so early is because 2010 class will be all BCG players. He has an edge right now and it started with KC Miller. He is able to to tell them, I am putting together a class of players that will give “you” the potnetial to play for a championship team.
This is probably UK fan wishful thinking, but it would sell me if I was a player.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
How funny is it that Verdell Jones called the Minneapolis media to Chicago to watch him recruit to Indiana. HAHHAHA
May 5th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
50 - I forgot about that. WOnder why he would do that?
May 5th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
B/C you and I could start for Indiana next year….
May 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I think it’s great that we are getting these commitments this early! It’s alot better than waiting til the last second and crashing this site because we don’t have any recruits coming in…or at least top notch ones. But, I am loving this coach and his staff’s recruiting and player development. I hope we can move scholarships around and get John Wall, John Hood, and at least one big man for ‘09 to go w/ Vilarino. It’s once again a great time to be a CATS fan!!! GO CATS!!
May 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Four verbals in less than a week. Did Tubby or even Pitino ever have that? Some of those kids may be young, but at least they are your so-called “stud” prospect. Gotta love the direction that UK basketball appears to be headed.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
come on, this kid is in 9th grade. He may be a stud, but he’s 15 years old!
May 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Oh well…stop hating. People complained about lack of recruiting and now that we are burning up the trail they are trying to find some new reason to complain. Now it is “they are too young” it’s ridiculous. Just enjoy being a CAT fan or get off the site.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
55) ever “admired” an attractive teenage girl? your coach has i’m sure.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
it’s funny listening to the morons complain about “recruiting” young kids…good Gawd. they are just verballing and it really doesn’t even tie them to anyone or anything. it gives them something to work towards and puts positive emphasis on their game to get better…it doesn’t hurt the kids at all. relax.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
there’s really no negative to gillispie recruiting young talent. so wat if he’s young, if he doesnt pan out then gillispie could tell the kid to go somewhere else. better to recruit him now than to lose out on him years down the road to a unc, or duke
May 5th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
but, #58, to hear all the fans talk, this is the greatest thing ever. Any coach can show ‘interest’ in an 8th grader (BCG didn’t, I know) or a 9th grade and get a commitment. If Harvard offered an academic scholarship to a 9th grader, would s/he be stupid to turn it down, or would HU be stupid for offering in the first place? I also like how my comment spurred Pearl comments. Just can’t stop talking about him, huh?
/flame away, I’m going to bed.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
#45 That is one of the best point I have ever heard for recruiting kids early. Makes complete sense.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hey #55 Macon Volfan don’t be jealous dude. How good do you think Kobe/Lebron/Garnett/Howard//////// etc. etc. The sky is looking bluer and bluer all the time. Just get ready to be owned again for the next 50 years.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Keep bringing in the talent as far as im concerned im ok with them being young if they develope great if not let them go
May 5th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Seriously. I went to college but didn’t play ball. I am now 31. Do I still have 4 years of eligibility if I went back for my masters? Hmmm.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
No you would have 1 year eligibility-it would be like you redshirted 1 year & played 3. Also, who else thinks “macon” would be singing this kid’s praises if he chose UTerrible??
May 6th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Welcome Vinny Zollo… Go Big Blue!!!
May 6th, 2008 at 8:15 am
#65, nope. When the Vols got a ‘commitment’ from Cordell Passley (a 9th grader) 3 years ago, I thought “A 9th grader? That’s just silly.”
May 6th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
[...] Vinny Zollo and Michael Avery are two talented kids who have committed to the program early. Some say too early. [...]
May 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
i dont like that gillespie is recruiting kids this early because my friend plays aau basketball against dakata euton and he said he is not as good as people say
May 9th, 2008 at 2:47 am
I’m loving how such a simple thing such as this can cause such an uproar, lol. Billy G has made me fall in love with Kentucky basketball more than ever. Im so excited about what the future holds for us.