Zollo keeps open mind about his future

Now that he’s re-opened his recruiting process, former Kentucky recruit Vinny Zollo wants to keep his options open and his mind clear of what-ifs.

“We’re right now enjoying going out and getting to play in front of evaluators and coaches and stuff,” Zollo said Monday at the adidas-sponsored It Takes 5ive camp in Cincinnati. “It’s a good experience not having to think about anything. Basketball is such a mental game. To keep a clear head and go out and play, I think you’ll play your best when you do that.”

Zollo speaks from experience.

After committing to UK as a ninth grader, he transferred to Clark County. The move allowed ever-judgmental UK fans to eyeball the would-be Cat. It didn’t help any that he played as a sophomore last season while recovering from an off-season foot injury.

“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “. . . I felt like I HAVE to do this or I HAVE to perform. I thought like that.

“I matured a lot that year and realized the injury made me a lot stronger. I realized you just go out and play the game. Things like that make you mentally stronger.”

Zollo, a 6-foot-8 forward, came to understand his return to the recruitng process does not represent a setback. His original commitment to UK had no binding power.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to UK,” he said. “That was up in the air. Nothing has changed since then. It’ sjust the mental aspect to go out there and play.”

Zollo noted the “solid communication” he’s had with the new UK assistant coaches. That communication covered the change of playing style: from the high-low power game of Gillispie to the slash-to-the-basket Dribble Drive preferred by Calipari.

Zollo hasn’t given up the idea of becoming an effective perimeter player who can drive by his man.

“You change as a player,” he said. “Right now, I am trying to involve my guard skills a lot more.”

The Indiana Elite team includes several big men, which frees Zollo to play on the perimeter.

“Righit now, it’s a question mark,” he said of his perimeter skills. “We don’t know.”

Meanwhile, Zollo has received scholarship offers from Oklahoma State and Dayton. He visited Notre Dame last weekend because the Indiana Elite team practiced in South Bend.

Zollo shot down the speculation that he will leave Clark County.

“I know there’s a lot of speculation I’d go the private school route,” he said. “Clark County, for us, it a  good fit. People think I have regrets because of UK. We like it a lot (at Clark County). We like it a lot.”

And Zollo hasn’t given up the idea of eventually playing for Kentucky. When asked if the UK assistants had told him that that possibility remained open, Zollo said, ‘Yeah, absolutely. I think they’re here today (watching the Indiana Elite team play). Living 25 minutes from Lexington, it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

“Either way, I feel blessed to have a lot of opportunities.”

Zollo mentioned one change with his second college commitment. Unlike the first, which famously included a hug from a teary Gillispie, he’ll be more deliberate next time.

“Wherever I go, it’s goign to be a decision that’s thought through thoroughly,” Zollo said. “It’s not going to be an offer and a commitment.”