Zavier Zens talks Northern Iowa, Ben Jacobson, and his ultra-productive game

Zavier Zens is averaging 23.4 points through 16 games this high school season. The 6-foot-6 forward at Wisconsin Lutheran (WI) High School earned one of my votes for the Naismith Trophy mid-season All-American team.

Zens has led his team to a 16-0 start, including a prestigious Beach Ball Classic Championship, where the three-star forward earned MVP honors.

“Everything about this has been awesome,” Zens said.
”I mean, to be invited to this tournament is such a blessing, and it was great that we were able to come down and win and spend time with the team, and it was super big for our program.”

Zens also spoke about what makes his game so productive. “I just feel like I can fill a stat sheet and do a little bit of everything,” Zens told Rivals. “I mean, I feel like I’m scoring in the paint, mid-range, and then threes; and then I can find my teammates pretty well.”

With the success of Kon Knueppel, who played for Wisconsin Lutheran (WI) School Zens’ freshman and sophomore seasons, Zens has worked hard over the past two seasons to fill that featured role. Last year, Zens’ junior season, he averaged 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 67.3 percent shooting. The Vikings are now 44-2 over the past two seasons.

“I really worked on rounding out my total game,” Zens said. “And just adding little pieces here and there, like working on my handles, my help defense, and talking more and being a leader.”

Zavier Zens commits to Northern Iowa

“It felt like I was still at home when I went on my visit,” Zens said. “And the coaches made me feel good, I don’t know, I’m just super excited about going there. I love the played, I love the way they play, and they are a really successful program.

Zavier Zens even spoke about the atmosphere at Northern Iowa. “They have a great fan base. I mean, they’re winning every year. They make runs in the Missouri Valley. The program is just great all-around.”

Even with all the success that Zens is seeing and the excitement about the Northern Iowa program, he knows that nothing is going to be handed to him.

“They’re super excited about me coming there,” Zens said. “And they have a lot of seniors this year, so maybe I’ll have a chance to work toward some playing time next season. But that is up to me, how hard I work. Obviously, you’ve got to learn how they do things, and I have to round out my defense as well.”

Zens’ relationship with the coaches

“The coaches are what made me want to go to Northern Iowa,” Zens said. “I am able to have long, fun talks with all of the coaches; they really just made me feel like I’m at home when I’m around them. So, I mean, Coach Jake (Ben Jacobson) is a great coach, he’s been there forever, and they always win games and make runs, so it is really just the best of everything.”

Zavier Zens even has a note for the fans of what they can expect next season. “I’m always going to work and give my all on every single play; never take a play off.”