The road seemed long for the developing 6-foot-7 prep forward Zach Tolson. While Tolson has been careful to mull over his options, the gifted shooter prospect has taken his time to make the right decision for himself. Over the past two years, Tolson has made decisions for schools that were designed to benefit him in the future - making the road seem even longer.
First Toolson would decide for Westwind Prep Academy. After a strong senior season for himself as a senior prospect at Chaparral High School, Tolson would decide to go the post-graduate route in an attempt to raise his recruiting stock for the future. Tolson would spend a year competing with a team of unsigned prep prospects, and competing at the highest level against local junior colleges and other prep teams in the West.
Recently, after a spring in which he reeled in heavy interest from numerous division-II schools, Tolson decided again on his hope for the future, as he made his decision to go the junior college route and sign with Mesa Junior College.
Many prospects in Arizona develop later than sooner. This has definitely been the case for Tolson. Tolson has seen his game develop rapidly over the past year.
As a senior starter for former Chaparral HS head coach Damin Lopez, Tolson caught fire late in the high school season and began to show excellent potential as a college prospect. Standing 6-foot-7 in height and possessing a very pure shooting stroke, similar to former Thunderbird HS star forward Zane Johnson (University of Hawaii), Tolson is a nice looking talent for the next level.
Last summer, Tolson turned in his best effort in the Adidas Super 64 tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the event, Tolson helped his club program, the Arizona Magic Pump N Run-2013, to a runner-up championship finish in the event.
Now Tolson will look to continue his development under the leadership of one of the state's top coaches ever - Mesa JC head coach Sam Ballard. With continued hard work, Tolson has the size and ability to play the game that will attract college coaches,. as this young man should develop into a mid-major division-I college prospect over time.
Tolson is already a full academic qualifier and will be eligible for division-I athletics after one years in the junior college ranks.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Tolson is a bigger wing prospect with an excellent shooting stroke with unlimited range. He is at his best while catching and shooting the basketball, but needs to continue to improve his ability to score the basketball off the dribble, while also handling the basketball better in the open floor. He also needs to become a better defender and improve his ability to defend more athletic players at his position. He also needs to get stronger to become a better rebounder on both ends of the floor to maximize his full potential as a college prospect. Many of Tolson’s weaknesses will be realized with natural maturity and the strength and conditioning. Tolson is a good looking prospect currently, and only should improve a great deal over time. Look for Tolson to continue to develop into a serious mid-major division-I prospect over the next year.
