ZABO, KEVIN
6-2 G (SAN DIEGO STATE, 2015 and KENT STATE, 2017-2018)
From Gatineau, Que and Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, where he led them to a 33-2 record.
As a freshman in 2015, Zabo appeared in 16 games, for an average 10.9 mpg. He hit 14-39 (.359) from the floor, 5-14 (.357) from the arc and 9-16 (.563) from the line, while garnering 16 boards, including 3 on the offensive glass and a 1.0 rpg, 12 fouls, 9 assists, 15 turnovers, 5 steals and 42 points, for a 2.6 ppg. The Aztecs, coached by Bill Fisher, finished 27-9 overall and 14-4 (tied 1st) in Mountain West play. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA, where they defeated St. John’s 76-64 before losing 68-49 to Duke in the round of 32.
After the season, Zabo left the program, transferring to NJCAA’s Indian Hills, where he averaged 7.0 ppg and 4.3 apg in his second year and then accepted a scholarship from Kent State.
As a junior in 2017, Zabo started 9 of 36 games, playing an average 18.1 mpg. He hit 69-190 (.363) from the floor, 29-93 (.312) from the arc and 35-47 (.745) from the line, while garnering 50 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass and a 1.4 rpg, 85 fouls, 58 assists (1.6 apg), 44 turnovers, 23 steals, 1 block and 202 points, for a 5.6 ppg. The Golden Flashes, coached by Rob Senderoff, finished 22-14 overall and 10-8 (4th, east division) of Mid-American play. They captured the Mid-American Conference postseason tournament by smacking top-seeded Akron 70-65 before losing 97-80 to U.C.L.A. in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
As a senior in 2018, Zabo started 22 of the 34 games he played, for an average 28.8 mpg He hit 155-369 (.420) from the floor, 44-137 (.321) from the arc and 85-108 (.787) from the line, while garnering 108 boards (including 19 on the offensive glass and a 3.2 rpg), 97 fouls, 82 assists, 63 turnovers, 36 steals, 2 blocks and 439 points, for a 12.9 ppg. The Flashes, coached by Rob Senderoff, finished 17-17 overall and 9-9 (tied 2nd, East division) of Mid-American Conference play.
ZARKOVIC, NEMANJA
6-3 G (FORDHAM, 2015-2018)
From Sherbrooke, Que, and College Jean-de-Brebeuf.
As a freshman in 2015, Zarkovic started 7 of 27 games, playing an average 13.6 mpg. He hit 32-87 (.368) from the floor, 18-52 (.346) from the arc and 8-15 (.533) from the line, while garnering 23 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass and a 0.9 rpg, 40 fouls (fouling out once), 29 assists, 33 turnovers, 1 block, 8 steals and 90 points, for a 3.3 ppg. The Rams, coached by Tom Pecora, finished 10-21 overall and 4-14 (tied 12th) in Atlantic 10 play. After the season, Pecora was turfed and replaced by Jeff Neubauer from Eastern Kentucky.
As a sophomore in 2016, Zarkovic started one of the 31 games he played for an average 18.3 mpg. He hit 32-102 (.314) from the floor, 20-70 (.286) from the arc and 8-12 (.667) from the line, while garnering 47 boards, including 13 on the offensive glass and a 1.5 rpg, 73 fouls (fouling out 3 times), 42 assists, 17 turnovers, 1 block, 16 steals and 92 points, for a 3.0 ppg. The Rams, coached by Jeff Neubauer, finished 17-14 overall and 8-10 (8th) in Atlantic 10 play, losing 69-66 to Boston University in the opening round of the Collegeinsider.com Tournament.
As a junior in 2017, Zarkovic appeared in 11 games before being injured for the season, for an average 20.0 mpg. He hit 9-29 (.310) from the floor, 8-24 (.333) from the arc and 4-6 from the line, while garnering 15 boards, including 2 on the offensive glass and a 1.4 rpg, 16 fouls, 13 assists, 3 turnovers, 10 steals and 30 points, for a 2.7 ppg. The Rams (coached by Jeff Neubauer) finished 13-19 overall and 7-11 (10th) in Atlantic 10 play.
As a senior in 2018, Zarkovic missed the season with an injury. The Rams (coached by Jeff Neubauer) finished 9-22 overall and 4-14 (14th) in Atlantic 10 play.
ZEKO, BRANIMIR
6-8 F (NEW HAMPSHIRE, 2006-2007)
Born in Split, Croatia. Played at Mississauga John Cabot C.S.S., where he averaged 22 ppg and 12 rpg.
As a freshman in 2006, Zeko started 3 of the 24 games he played, toiling an average 9.7 mpg. He hit 19-41 (.463) from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, and 5-7 (.714) from the line, while garnering 38 boards (including 15 on the offensive glass and a 1.6 rpg), 21 fouls, 3 assists (0.1 apg), 7 turnovers (0.3 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.43), 2 blocks (0.1 bpg), 2 steals (0.1 spg), and 43 points, for a ppg of 1.8. The Wildcats, coached by Bill Herrion, finished 12-17 overall and 8-8 (5th) in America East play.
As a sophomore in 2007, Zeko started 2 of the 4 games he played, for an average 6.0 mpg. He hit 0-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 0-1 from the line, while garnering 6 boards (including 3 on the offensive glass and a 1.5 rpg), 1 foul, 1 assist (0.2 apg), 3 turnovers (0.6 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.33) and 2 steals (0.4 spg). The Wildcats, coached by Bill Herrion, finished 10-20 overall and 6-10 (tied 6th) in America East play.
After the season, Zeko left New Hampshire and enrolls at NCAA Division II St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he is eligible immediately as a junior in 2008.
ZIMNICKAS, ALEX
6-8 F (HARTFORD, 2003-2007)
From Toronto’s Bishop Allen Academy, where he averaged 25 ppg and 9 rpg as a senior. Enrolled at Hartford in January and redshirted, practicing with the team. “He’s a big-bodied kid who can shoot the three and bang,” said coach Larry Harrison. The Hawks finished 16-13 overall and 10-6 (3rd) in America East play.
As a freshman in 2004, Zimnickas started in 16 of 28 games, playing an average 15.0 mpg. He hit 40-87 (.460) from the floor, 2-11 (.182) from the arc and 19-38 (.500) from the line, while garnering 50 boards (including 21 on the offensive glass and a 1.8 rpg), 80 fouls (fouling out twice), 10 assists (0.4 apg), 31 turnovers (1.1 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.32), 4 blocks (0.1 bpg), 17 steals (0.5 spg) and 101 points, for a ppg of 3.6. He had a career-high 13 against Maryland-Baltimore County. The Hawks, coached by Larry Harrison, finished 12-17 overall and 6-12 (6th) in America East play.
As a sophomore in 2005, Zimnickas played in 26 games, averaging 5.8 mpg. He hit 15-34 (.441) from the floor, 2-7 (.286) from the arc and 7-9 (.778) from the line, while garnering 31 boards (including 9 on the offensive glass and a 1.2 rpg), 38 fouls, 3 assists (0.1 apg), 14 turnovers (0.5 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.21), 1 block, 1 steal and 39 points, for a ppg of 1.5. The Hawks, coached by Larry Harrison, finished 8-20 overall and 4-14 (10th) in America East play.
As a junior in 2006, Zimnickas started 10 of 28 games, playing an average 13.2 mpg. He hit 31-80 (.388) from the floor, 6-23 (.261) from the arc and 10-18 (.556) from the line, while garnering 54 boards, (including 25 on the offensive glass and a 1.9 rpg), 51 fouls (fouling out once), 8 assists (0.3 apg), 54 turnovers (0.6 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.44), 6 steals (0.2 spg) and 78 points, for a ppg of 2.8. The Hawks, coached by Larry Harrison, finished 13-15 overall and 9-7 (x) in American East play. After the season, Harrison is turfed and replaced by Temple assistant Dan Leibovitz.
As a senior in 2007, Zimnickas started 31 of 31 games for an average 21.7 mpg. He hit 80-167 (.479) from the floor, 6-29 (.207) from the arc and 53-82 (.646) from the line, while garnering 91 boards (including 39 on the offensive glass and a 2.9 rpg), 89 fouls (fouling out 3 times), 28 assists (0.9 apg), 63 turnovers (2.0 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.44), 5 blocks (0.2 bpg), 18 steals (0.6 spg) and 219 points, for a ppg of 7.1. The Hawks, coached by Dan Leibovitz, finished 13-18 overall and 6-10 (tied 6th) in America East play.
ZOET, JIM
7-0 C (KENT STATE, 1974-76)
Born in Uxbridge, Ont. and attend Port Perry High.
Zoet saw limited action as a freshman in 1974, playing in just 17 games. He hit 16-37 (.432) from the floor and 5-12 (.417) from the line, while garnering 31 boards (1.8 rpg) and 37 points, for a 2.2 ppg. The Golden Flashes finished 9-17 overall and 1-11 (7th) in Mid-American play. Coach Frank Truitt lost his job after the season after the team finished last in conference play. Coaching duties were temporarily taken over by Stan Albeck, an assistant to Wilt Chamberlain for the ABA’s San Diego Conquistadors. After the season, Rex Hughes was appointed head coach.
As a sophomore in 1975, Zoet played in 24 games for a total 410 minutes. He hit 33-65 (.492) from the floor and 3-16 (.188) from the line, while garnering 109 boards (4.5 rpg), 49 fouls (fouling out once), 9 assists and 67 points, for a 2.8 ppg. The Golden Flashes (coached by Rex Hughes) finished 6-20 overall and 3-10 in Mid-American play.
As a junior in 1976, Zoet played in 22 games, for an average 24.5 mpg. He hit 40-83 (.482) from the floor, and 19-35 (.543) from the line, while garnering 134 boards (6.1 rpg), 73 fouls (fouling out 4 times), 33 blocks, 14 assists and 99 points, for a 4.5 ppg. The Golden Flashes finished 12-14 overall and 7-9 in Mid-American play. Zoet had a falling out with coach Rex Hughes during the campaign, which ultimately led to quit the squad. Zoet said he didn’t agree with Hughes how he should be utilized. “After my junior season, I was shooting the ball in the gym and the assistant coaches couldn’t believe how well I shot. They said I should go make amends with Hughes, but I told them he should be the one apologizing to me.” Zoet said being a Canadian playing at a U.S. university during his era, his role was limited. “You had to be an exceptionally good player to get significant playing time,” said Zoet. “I was starting centre in my junior year, but all I did was rebound, block shots and all the dirty work. I never got to be part of the offence. I had my falling out with the coach with four games to go.”
After the season, Zoet transferred to Lakehead, where he was a second-team all-Canadian from 1977-78.
At the start of the 1982-83 season, Zoet signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks and survived a few weeks before being waived. Three days later, he signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons, after Piston Bill Laimbeer was sidelined by a broken hand, eventually playing in seven games before being waived. “It was a good experience,” Zoet later said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t play much. I was there for insurance.” A member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic Team that wasn’t allowed to play in Moscow because of the Western boycott. He later played professionally in Holland, England, Argentina, the Philippines and Mexico.