This is the announcement Hoosier fans have been waiting to hear for a very long time. Cody Zeller signed his letter of intent to Indiana University Thursday afternoon in a press conference at the Washington High School Gym.
“Next year I’m going to go to IU,” Zeller proclaimed at his press conference. “After talking to so many people close to me, I knew it was the right thing for me.”
Zeller, a 6-10, 210 pound forward is the 20th ranked player in the 2011 class and the 4th best forward in the country according to Rivals.com.
The Zeller family handled the recruiting process very methodically. They must be commended on their clear and honest approach that left all of the leading national recruiters clueless as to where he would go.
“I talked to whoever I could that could give me their insight. I didn’t tell hardly anyone. My high school coach didn’t know until a few minutes ago. I didn’t tell hardly anyone. There’s a lot of pressure, but I tried not to pay too much attention to it.”
Cody’s final three came down to Butler, Indiana and North Carolina. He took an official visit to each school in October. This final visit allowed each school to make their final presentation to Zeller and give him a preview of what his life may entail at each respective university.
Last season he averaged 20.5 points per game and 11.1 rebounds as a junior and led the Washington Hatchets to the Class 3A state championship.
Zeller completes the 2011 class for Tom Crean. Cody joins Indiana Elite teammate Austin Etherington who signed Wednesday after committing over 15 months ago.
This kid had a fantastic opportunity whichever school he chose. All three schools have great coaches and academics.
–North Carolina offers a storied program, a year of playing alongside older brother Tyler, and he would share time with other great recruits. At UNC, Cody would be just another player and would be known as Tyler’s brother.
–Butler is a closer alternative where he would be the big fish in a small pond. He would dominate the Horizon League from the outset and be guaranteed a NCAA bid by winning the conference. The national exposure wouldn’t be the same as the big schools, it is much less a basketball school but he would start from the beginning.
–And finally there’s Indiana. IU’s a completely different scenario—a sleeping beast that is ready to awaken. The program has suffered so much since Coach Knight left, a runner-up finish in the 2002 finals, the firing of Mike Davis and the sanction of Kelvin Sampson. At Indiana, Zeller can help resurrect the tradition rich program that has gone through the unthinkable since 2008.
It is the closest school to his hometown of Washington, just 62 miles northeast which would allow his parents to easily attend every game. Cody is dubbed as the “savior” if you will of the Hoosier program. In Bloomington in front of 17,000+ each night, he would start immediately, make those around him better and will certainly spark a rush for 2012 talent to commit.
In this decision, you cannot discount academics. Zeller is the valedictorian and boasts a 3.99 GPA.
Credit to Dan Dakich who has said on his radio show on ESPN 1070 The Fan for over a month now, “Zeller to IU. Done Deal.” He has been adamant and consistent with his statement.
“The players and the coaches were the biggest things,” he said. “I think I can get along with the players pretty well and Coach Crean seems to be rebuilding the school pretty well, but also the business school is ranked real high.”
Now that Zeller has committed to IU, the floodgates are open. Don’t be surprised to see Zellers’ friends and Indiana Elite AAU teammates to commit soon.
“Representing the state of Indiana next year will be pretty special to me.”
Click here to hear Austin Etherington on the Dan Dakich Show.
Click here to hear Cody Zeller.
Click here to hear Steve Zeller.