Zachiah ‘ZZ’ Clark prefers ‘making my own way’
Fred Jeter | 6/15/2023, 6 p.m.
The Tennessee State basketball program has added a blue chip prospect.
Point guard Zachiah “ZZ” Clark has signed to play for the HBCU Tigers of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Clark chose the Nashville school over offers from the likes of Illinois (where his brother, Skyy, plays), Kansas, Arizona State, DePaul, Vanderbilt and Creighton, all of the NCAA Power 6 Conferences.
It’s rare nowadays when an HBCU lands a top recruit being courted by the more traditional college powers.
A native of Los Angeles, Clark played this past season for the City Reapers of the Atlanta-based Overtime Elite pro league for athletes ages 16 to 20.
With the Reapers he played with twins Amen and Ausar Thompson, likely first round selections in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Clark played the previous season for Windermere Prep Fla., where he was ranked among the nation’s top 25 point guards.
He originally committed to Illinois to play with his brother but changed his mind.
“I’m making my own way,” he told the press.
Tennessee State18-14 last season under Coach Brian “Penny” Collins. The Tigers won consecutive NAIA titles in 1957, ’58 and ’59 behind NBA bound Dick Barnett.
The program has sent 18 players to the NBA, but none recently.
On the Division I level, the Tigers have been to two NCAA tournaments (1993-94), losing in the first round both times.
