Documenting Basketball

In His Own Words: 2015 Stephen Zimmerman

– February 22, 2012Posted in: Player Profiles, Recruiting News, Stickie

For those that don’t know me, I’m Stephen Zimmerman, a 6’11” freshman at
Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV. Before I started 9th grade I
was fortunate enough to have 4 scholarship offers from UNLV, UCLA, Kansas
and UConn. What a crazy experience my freshman season has been. From,
travelling to major tournaments to playing with and against top athletes to
being injured part of the season, I thought I knew what to expect but
really had no idea.

I knew coming in that I would be the only freshman on a team that included
9 seniors, 5 or 6 are D1 athletes and 1 of those is the #1 player in the
class of 2012, Shabazz Muhammad. Working out, practicing with and against
Bazz both last summer, with Dream Vision, and this season with Gorman has
shown me the dedication and work ethic it takes to be the best. I’ve been
lucky enough to see how Bazz handles recruiting pressures, autograph and
interview requests and even how to talk to all of the coaches that come to
watch us practice and play. I didn’t know so much extra goes on off the
court just to play basketball. Bazz is the hardest working player I know.
If he isn’t in the gym, he’s training or working out constantly improving
his game and getting better.

This season we have not only played our regular division games in-state,
going undefeated, but have also travelled to major tournaments around the
country. During our almost 3 week Christmas break, I spent 17 days on the
road, first at City of Palms in Florida and then the BeachBall Classic in
South Carolina. In January, we went to the Hoophall Classic at the
Basketball Hall of Fame and beat a very good DeMatha HS team on ESPNU.

Going from summer ball and starting for Dream Vision 16U’s to being the 7th
-8th man on my high school team was a tough transition. I didn’t know it
was going to be as frustrating as it was to have to sit there and feel like
I wasn’t contributing to my team. I definitely learned to be as productive
as possible with the minutes I had when I did get in. Having to sit, makes
you want to play even more.

This season I also suffered my first real injury. My knee started to ache
and after an MRI, I learned I had a slightly torn meniscus. I decided to go
ahead and have it taken care of so I would be 100% for summer and AAU
season. I only missed 3 weeks and was able to play in our regional
Championship game. I’ve been blessed to never have had an injury that kept
me out before and it definitely made me appreciate how lucky I am whether I
play 8 minutes or 32 minutes.

We are heading out to State Championships this week with a record of 26-4
and hope to bring a State Championship back to Bishop Gorman HS. I’d like
to thank my parents for being there no matter what and giving me the
support I need to play basketball. I’d also like to thank all the coaches
and trainers who have and continue to help me develop, especially Clay
Williams and Ron Holmes. I’m excited to hit the court this summer as a
member of my AAU club team, Dream Vision!

Pic: Las Vegas Sun.

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Tags: Bishop Gorman, Kansas, Stephen Zimmerman, UCLA, Uconn, UNLV

THE SEASON: Findlay Prep: Winston Shepard the Senior

NealNieves

– February 19, 2012Posted in: Coast 2 Coast Recruiting

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Props to Donnie Seals for the Mini Doc.

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Dunk Bait: Gabe York Ladies And Gentlemen

NealNieves

– February 18, 2012Posted in: Coast 2 Coast Recruiting

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Kicks: Highlighting Nike’s Monster Month

NealNieves

– February 16, 2012Posted in: Coast 2 Coast Recruiting

Nike and Jordan Brand have been on fire in terms of big releases since the new year started. The Chicago Jordan X’s dropped at the end of January, as did an original colorway (black/grey) of the Flight ‘89s but it’s the calendar month of February that features a stretch of releases unlike anything we’ve ever seen before in such a short period of time. For whatever reason, the family members that are Nike and Jordan Brand decided to pull out all the stops in early 2012.

Footlocker has marketed it as “The Hottest Month Ever” and you might have seen their commercials or posters advertising this month’s releases. First it was the Metallic Red Foamposite Ones, which were highlighted here on C2C, and a retro of the classic “Air Diamond Turf II” (retail $120) in the San Francisco 49ers colorway that you see here.

Then on February 8^th Jordan Brand released the Jordan 2012, which UNC and Georgetown wore for its inaugural weekend. Retail on these is $223 for the first 3 colorways (because of each shoe having 3 different insoles) but future releases will be $180 with 1 insole.

Saturday, February 11^th marked the release of 9 more shoes, most of which sold out within a few hours of being available. The White/”Old Royal” Jordan Xs ($160), Dave White Jordan 1s ($175), Dynamic Blue Zoom Rookie ($200) and the Black History Month pack all dropped this past weekend. The Black History Month pack featured Lebron IX’s, Kobe VII’s, Kevin Durant IV’s, Air Force 1’s, Air Max 1’s, Blazers and Huarache Frees which all retailed between $110 and $180 and can be seen below.

Next in line are the Kobe VII Shark which drop on Valentine’s Day (as if Nike wanted to make it harder on guy’s wallets) and retail at $140. Now here, believe it or not, is where it gets real interesting.

This Saturday, February 18^th Jordan Brand is retroing the Cement IV for the first time since 1999 (and only the second time since their original 1989 release). This incredibly iconic shoe is no doubt on everyone’s mind, and even though it will be a general release with high production numbers they WILL sell out quick. Retail will be $160.

Following the Cement IV’s will be the “Year of the Dragon” version of the Jordan 2012 and the Nike Flight One retro. It’s the first time this model is coming out since Penny Hardaway made it famous in Orlando in the mid-90’s. The first colorway due up is arguably the best, the original white/black/blue. The Flight Ones will retail at $120 and the 2012’s will be $223, with both dropping on February 23^rd.

Finally, the month wraps up with the Galaxy Foamposite Ones, which C2C covered previously, and the Lebron IX “Big Bangs”. The Big Bangs will retail at $170 and release on the 24^th and the Galaxies will be $220 and release on the 25^th, both coinciding with NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando.

That’s our recap on the crazy drops of February, hopefully all of our C2C readers have an idea of what to expect for the rest of month. Follow @Mike_Valdes on twitter for more release info and news as it becomes available.

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