By Rich Stevens
MaxPreps.com
Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) senior Talib Zanna turned 18 earlier in 2009. He’s ranked by ESPNU as the 10th-best center prospect in the United States.
The 6-foot-9 native of Nigeria has been all over the nation playing in tournaments – including Wheeling, W.Va., during the Cancer Research Classic on Jan. 3 and the Bojangles Shootout in North Carolina in December.
Still, it’s been three years since he’s seen his parents.
The University of Pittsburgh signee is headed back to Nigeria to visit his parents this summer. The 17-hour flight – yes he’s flying first class – Zanna admits is hard.
It’ll be worth it.
“Three years is a long time,” said Zanna, who hasn’t seen his parents since his freshman season. “My parents are coming to my graduation and then we’re going back (to Nigeria) for about two weeks and then I’m coming back for summer school.”
Zanna’s high school years have been about development as a basketball player and a student. His eyes were also opened to the world of recruiting.
He didn’t begin played basketball until he was 11 years old.
“Coach was over in Nigeria for a basketball camp, he saw me play and we talked a little bit and he said he wanted me to come to his school to play basketball.”
Enter McNamara, the Forestville, Md.-based high school that has a reputation as a traveling national power.
As a McNamara sophomore, the still-developing Zanna didn’t play much while missing most of the season with injuries.
During his junior season, he was 6-8 and showing signs of someday being a star.
“The basketball back home was different,” Zanna said. “I was skinny when I came over (to the United States). I was 195 pounds. Now I weigh like 225 pounds.
“When I got here I had to work hard.”
His work paid off in the form of a scholarship to play at Big East power Pitt. The Panthers, who remain at or near the top of the Big East standings, managed to get Zanna ahead of Villanova, Providence, Oklahoma and Boston College.
Where he’ll play with the Panthers is anybody’s guess – the three or the four.
“Some people say I’m a good all-around player and some people say I’ll play the three or the four,” Zanna said. “Some people say I’m a good power forward and that in the future I’ll be a good power forward.
“I’ll just keep working on whatever they want me to do.”
That includes adding weight and muscle. He’s already perfected the slam dunk, sealing opposing post players and playing with his back to the basket. He’ll even occasionally hit a 3-pointer.
“I have to lift more,” Zanna said. “I’ll have to be at least 230 pounds in the Big East.”
For example, current Pitt power forward DeJuan Blair is 6-7, but he weights 265 pounds.
“I also have to work on my ball-handling, my speed and my free throws,” Zanna added.
Rich Stevens, a sportswriter for the Charleston Daily Mail, covers West Virginia for MaxPreps.