Zachary Wilbert '19 Recruiting Profile

I feel that I would be a great candidate for any college basketball team for many reasons.  I am a true team player, in every sense of the word.  I am extremely respectful of coaches, referees, or any authority figure, teammate, or opposing player.  Along with this, I do speak up when I think there are things that could improve a play or game situation.  I've had many opposing coaches and referees come up to me and complement me on my play, and recently had a referee come up to me after a tournament and say, "You are a referee's dream."  As a fifth grader, I was awarded the Character Achievement Award by the School Board for the entire school (approximately 800 students).  There were two awards given out  each year-- one to a boy and one to a girl who displayed great character.  I feel I still display that character, and always will.  I am responsible, show up at every practice and game, and do what my coach tells me to do.  I have always gotten along well with every teammate in every sport, never having had a conflict. I feel that I am a truly gifted athlete.  I am a good offensive basketball player, and I excel at defense.  I have been playing basketball since third grade, on school and club/travel teams.  I've been a starter on every team I've ever played on.  I played Freshman basketball in 8th grade, JV basketball in 9th grade (was pulled up to Varsity for Sectionals), and Varsity basketball in 10th grade (went to Sectionals).  Unfortunately, I tore my ACL playing Varsity soccer in 11th grade, and had to have surgery, which forced me to sit out for my entire Junior year of basketball.  Basketball is my passion.  I was named MVP at Jim Boeheim's Syracuse Basketball Camp in 2015 out of approximately 350 kids.  I was selected Player of the Game by MaxPreps as a sophomore for RFA against Notre Dame, Syracuse Academy of Science, and Henninger.  (I was the only sophomore on the Varsity team.)  I was named Tournament MVP at the Institute of Technology Holiday Classic Tournament in 2016 as a sophomore, after recording a triple double with 20 points, 23 rebounds, and 10 steals.  I was named Defensive Player of the Year for Rome Free Academy in my sophomore year.  As a Senior, I was named Captain of the varsity team and Defensive Player of the Year for Rome Free Academy.  I was also invited to participate in Media Day in November, to represent Rome Free Academy.  I received the Scholar Athlete award at the Mohawk Valley Basketball Classic on January 5, 2019 at Utica College.  I am also a very talented soccer player, having played soccer since the age of four on many local, club, travel, and school teams.  I played JV soccer as an 8th grader for Rome Free Academy (was pulled up to Varsity for Sectionals), and played Varsity soccer in 9th, 10th,  11th, and 12th grades (went to Sectionals all four years).  I was named Captain of the Varsity soccer team as a sophomore, junior, and senior,  was named MVP Midfield as a sophomore, and received the Heart and Hustle award for RFA as a junior and senior.  I was named to the Tri-Valley League First Team All-Star Team as a sophomore, junior, and senior.  I was named to the Section III Senior All-Star team as a Senior, and played in the Senior All-Star game with players from all over Upstate NY on Saturday, November 3 at Onondoga Community College in Syracuse, NY, and was named to the All Mohawk Valley All-Star team as a Senior.  I have played on elite travel teams and have played in many State Cup games.  I have been a starter on every soccer team I have ever played on.  I have played in many basketball and soccer tournaments and have attended many basketball and soccer camps.  I attended OCC Team Basketball Camp on June 10-11, 2017 (went undefeated), LeMoyne Team Basketball Camp on July 29-30, 2017 (went undefeated), and the CNY Basketball Showcase at Whitesboro High School in Marcy, NY on September 17, 2017.  I am a tough player with a ton of endurance and hustle who never gives up.  My academics are extremely important to me, as well.  I maintain about a 95 or above average, and have a weighted average of about 99, making High Honors almost every marking period.  I take Honors and AP classes, and will continue to do so through my graduation. I am a member of the Junior National Honor Society and the National Honor Society.  I have been a Scholar Athlete in both basketball and soccer for each year in which I played Varsity. (basketball - 3 years, soccer - 4 years.)  I work very hard to juggle my schoolwork and my sports.  For these reasons, I feel I would be an asset to any college team.  

UPDATE -- After having had surgery on December 28, 2017 to repair a torn ACL, I was released on May 23, 2018 to return to sports.