B. Quinn (The Athletic) Profile of Zavier Simpson
Excellent profile of Zavier Simpson from Brendan Quinn at The Athletic. The article does a great job of providing background on Z's hometown (Lima, OH), his family's history there, and how Z became who he is. It's a multi-generational story that also shows what Z could have been, if he had made other choices. He's got a great family and it's a joy to see him play!
The Athletic is a subscription website, but maybe this snippet from a pretty lengthy article will entice you enough to subscribe:
As Zavier got older, Quincey would drive him and his brother around the city, pointing to characters on the corners. He’d talk about the guys he grew up with, the ones who can’t get a decent job — rap sheets with felonies. Some friends aren’t here anymore. For years, Lima averaged more than 10 murders per year, an obscene number for a town its size.
“It’s no disrespect to anybody, because it could’ve been me, but I wanted my boys to know that street life may look cool, but that’s not where it’s at,” Quincey says.
Zavier threw everything he had into basketball. He played football (a linebacker, of course), but quit to focus on hoops. He was invited to the prestigious Fab Frosh Camp in Atlanta, an event featuring the top 100 incoming freshmen in the country. He hoped to be named one of the best 40 players at the camp, but didn’t make the cut. On the drive back from Atlanta to Lima, Quincey stopped at a gas station. The other kids in the car went inside to get snacks. Once they were out of sight, Zavier broke down in tears. Quincey told him he had the choice to quit or work harder.
He chose the latter.
Link to article: https://theathletic.com/264643/2018/03/08/zavier-simpson-lost-and-found-in-middle-america/
Also, it's my first post so please go easy if I screwed something up. I did check the board and didn't see the article posted.
The only problem is that one can't read the attached. I don't want to subscribe either. But, still thanks for posting. You can tell how driven he is.
Although a subscription is needed to read the article, I'm glad Z's story is being told. He seems like a great kid...
I don't subscribe to anything - Athletic, recruiting sites, etc. The last thing I need is more internet distractions. But Quinn and Max Bultman have been PUMPING out the Michigan basketball content. Every time I flip through Twitter there's another article I want to read. They'd better slow down before I do something stupid.
Love it. "choice to quit or work harder. he chose the latter."
i think that embodies the those who stay will be champions mentality.
Go Blue!
Is worth the subscription price alone. If you like Michigan, and one other pro or college team, The Athletic is worth the $30 a year price.
I just started reading a couple of weeks ago and it's totally worth a fee that is ultimately less than $3 per month.
That makes you an Athletic supporter.
Brendan is the man
Or Now Z, sure can play D. love him.
Go Blue.
One that has earned that capital A.
Z has quickly become my top five all time Michigan bball players along with Stauskas, Jalen Rose, and ? Top three I guess. And of course I don't mean best, simply I mean players I like to watch play.
It's also fantastic we're pretty much guaranteed to get the full four years from him, and he's going to just keep getting better in Beilein's system.
Z has quickly become my top five all time Michigan bball players along with Stauskas, Jalen Rose, and ? Top three I guess. And of course I don't mean best, simply I mean players I like to watch play.
i think the OP works for "The Athletic"
I appreciate it, but nope. I'm down in Houston, and since my fiance works in public relations, I can definitely say I wouldn't do well in journalism or any form of media.