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Even Skyler Zabriskie admits it is a weird and unlikely story that he is a starting guard for the Northwest College men’s basketball team.
There are probably very few Skyler Zabriskies on the roster of any kind of college basketball program. College basketball is a winnowing process, whether it is junior college, NAIA or any NCAA level. Players are the cream of their high school teams, a small number recruited to play at the next level.
Yet Zabriskie did not even play high school basketball in Provo, Utah. He played in a church league. He played pick-up games like crazy around the neighborhood. But organized ball where they hand you a uniform with a number on it, well, he skipped that stage.
“I never played competitive basketball in my whole life,” he said.
Until Zabriskie showed up on the Northwest campus in Powell three seasons ago he had more in common with guys who rooted for the Utah Jazz from the balcony, or who subscribe to NBA cable packages.
The odds against Zabriskie when he began campaigning for a spot on a college basketball team were higher than they were against Donald Trump becoming president when he started his campaign.
Only once did Zabriskie deviate from the everyman path. Junior year he tried out for the school squad and was cut. In 2012 he enrolled at Utah Valley University in Orem, where he searched out games in gyms and playgrounds for fun. He did so well against players with much fancier resumes they harangued him into trying out for the Utah Valley team, which is an NCAA D-1 program. Stretching the imagination, he made the practice team, but there were issues with his eligibility because he hadn’t taken the proper courses.
In theory, improbable dream spiked. But no.
“I kind of got a hunger for it,” Zabriskie said, “a taste.”
Aflame with possibilities, Zabriskie lifted weights, shot 3-pointers until he was dizzy, shot free throws until his hand cramped, took so many mid-range jumpers he could have run down the battery on a calculator, and then spent the rest of his day in pick-up games.
In the spring of 2014, Trapper coach Brian Erickson received an email from a Utah player named Ryland Clawson coming for a walk-on tryout. Oh yeah, he was going to bring a friend. That was Zabriskie. Coaches salivate when 7-foot unknowns knock on the door. If the mystery man is 6-1 like Zabriskie, not so much.
“I almost told Skyler no, but his enthusiasm was so great,” Erickson.
Erickson kept both Clawson and Zabriskie, though Clawson did not stay as long. Zabriskie realized instantly his shortcoming was lack of experience. Other Trappers talked about games played in home countries overseas, or of winning state championships. Zabriskie thought, “Yeah, I played in pick-up games on the weekend.”
“I found my comfort zone after a while,” he said. “Every game I learn something.”
Zabriskie redshirted for the 31-5 NWC team that went to the National Junior College quarterfinals and played limited minutes last season. But this year he is the team captain.
“I didn’t think he would ever play for us,” Erickson said. “He put so much time into his shot and ball handling. It’s unbelievable where he started and where he’s come to. It’s all him. He’s out-worked (everyone).”
Zabriskie’s high game is 16 points, with a couple of 15-pointers thrown in. Overall, he is averaging 8.5 ppg for the 15-7 Trappers. His main weapon is the long-range jumper and he has poured in four 3-pointers in a game more than once.
Originally, Zabriskie was grateful just to be on the roster, but the more he absorbed, the more he wanted from the game. There he was in the starting lineup Nov. 4 against Bismarck State.
“I had butterflies for sure,” he said.
They evaporated after a couple of runs down the court. Skyler Zabriskie was just one of the 10 guys in a college game and not owning a high school letter jacket mattered not one bit.