Derrick Walton Jr. and Zak Irvin Named Gatorade POYs for Their Respective States
Congrats to 2013 Michigan basketball signees Derrick Walton Jr. and Zak Irvin for being named Gatorade Player of the Year for the states of Michigan and Indiana, respectively. The winners were "selected based on athletic production and impact in season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership."
From the post on Walton:
“Derrick Walton’s work ethic and determination is absolutely phenomenal,” said Chandler Park athletic director John Jergovich. “He’s here every morning at 6 a.m. before school starts taking shots and working on his game. He’s a go-getter on and off the court. Once he sets his goals, both athletically and academically, he’ll do anything to reach them.”
From the post on Irvin:
“Zak Irvin is the best player I’ve seen all year, maybe the best I’ve seen in many years,” said Doug Mitchell, head coach at North Central (Indianapolis, Ind.). “He can get a shot any time he wants, he is in superb condition and he loves to play defense.”
The full list of winners also includes 2014 Michigan recruiting target Devin Booker, winner for Mississippi.
Also today, the Associated Press named Walton the Class B Player of the Year.
Really excited about that class.
congrats to two outstanding young men. i hope they represent michigan just as well.
I loved reading about how Irvin loves to play defense. Yes, please!
Congrats to both!
is SO freaking COOL!!!!
This is a great honor for both of them. When is Indiana Mr. Basketball announced?
March 21st, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^
Apparently not until the first or second week of April. The voting just started a couple days ago. This article has some details on the voting—and on the likely candidates—but doesn't give the specific dates.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^
Whenever Tom Crean says so.
This incoming class is shaping up to another amazing haul. I hope Irvin wins Mr. Basketball for Indiana too.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^
I have just decided that I am no longer going to let myself be saddled by trying to be objective when it comes to Michigan. Therefore, it's obvious that the Gatorade PotY award is more important and relevant than Mr Basketball, because the Gatorade voters got it right and the Mr Basketball voters in Michigan got it wrong.
March 21st, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^
I think the voters got it right, the rules just mucked it up. Walton won the first place vote.
If both THJ and GRIII come back Michigan is going to have some nice depth on the wings next year. Crazy to think how athletic the Michigan basketball team has become.
If THJ leaves, I could see Stauskas sliding to the two, and GRIII sliding to the 3. That would be a really nice lineup as well. Irvin coming off the bench for GRIII (with Irvin's noted love of D).
Levert?
March 21st, 2013 at 10:10 AM ^
Walton should have won Mr. Basketball.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:16 AM ^
You have to like the implication of what at least two coaches have implied, namely that he's at least as good as Gary Harris (his former teammate).
March 21st, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
Eric Gordon
I like that comparison even more.
Comparison I've heard with Irvin (and one that really resonates when watching his highlights) is Richard Hamilton.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:16 AM ^
This is excellent news, and congratulations to both of Derrick Walton and Zak Irvin. It's doubly great in a way, for as we are here congratulating members of the present roster for various achievements, we can now congratulate future members of the roster for various things as well - that makes me quite excited about the next few years of Michigan basketball.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
is that? I still think there's every possibility we're better next year with Walton in a more distributive role.
March 21st, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
The comments from North Central head coach Doug Mitchell should get every Michigan fan excited. In a separate interview Mitchell said Eric Gordon and Zak Irvin were the two best players he has ever seen. This is coming from a guy that has coached former Indiana Mr. Basketball's Jason Gardner (college at Arizona), AJ Ratliff (Indiana), Eric Gordon (Indiana), as well as coaching against NBA players Courtney Lee, Rodney Carney, Mike Conley Jr., Greg Oden, Jeff Teague, Josh McRoberts, and George Hill, to name a few.
March 21st, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
Gordon was a one and done, and has done well for himself in the Show. I would love for Irvin to be that good but stick around more than a year. An interesting detail: Gordon is represented by sports agent Rob Pelinka, a former Michigan Basketball Player, Michigan Law grad, and the rep for Kobe and a number of other lottery picks. It would be interesting to get an interview from Pelinka asking his thoughts on college basketball, one and dones, and the NBA.
March 21st, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
March 21st, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^
Someone sorta posted it above, but I mean, let's reflect... if GR3 stays (and the talking heads all seem to say "he should, even though he'd be a first rounder on potential") and if THJ also stays (because, well, he should), then:
1: Walton, Albrecht
2: Stauskas, Irvin, Lavert
3: THJ, GRIII
4-5: Morgan, McGary, Bielfeldt, Horton
Egads that's a good team -- assuming Walton:2013-2014::0.5*Burke:2011-2012
March 21st, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
I just don't see JB using those guys at the 4/5. There's no perimeter threat in those 4 players. I think he likes his 4 to be a perimeter threat. We might WANT him to play that line-up, but I don't think we'll see it that often.
March 21st, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
Horford.
March 21st, 2013 at 12:45 PM ^
Donnal.
We go over this every year... No matter how much fans clamor for it, Beilein is not going to play two bigs for a majority of the minutes. It's just not going to happen. Having a 4 who can stretch the defense is critical to his offense.
And GRIII would need a lot of work to play the 3. He can't even dribble drive on the 4's he plays against now.
GRIII is a natural 3. he is playing out of position and not put in position to dribble past the 4's that guard him. If he plays more on wing and not on the baseline then you would see his wing forward skills more. Why do u think he a projected 1st rounder? its because of his natural build and skills to be a wing player.
March 21st, 2013 at 11:05 AM ^
wait...Gary Harris and Zak were on the same team AND THEY CHOKED IN THE PLAYOFFS??? HOW???
"HSE did not make it out of its sectional the last two years."
March 21st, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
Their sectional is probably the hardest in the state of Indiana. North Central, Carmel (where Stu Douglass attended high school) and HSE are 3 of the top 5 programs in the state every year, and they are all in the same sectional.
Carmel was so good when Douglass was there that he was their sixth man.
March 21st, 2013 at 11:32 AM ^
I remember how I felt all was lost ofter D. Morris leaving, then Trey came along. Hopeful for good things to come next year as well!
Go Blue!
March 21st, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^
Coach B is going to start saying to future PGs..."hey, the last few Michigan pgs are all in the NBA how'd you like to come play for us?"
hoping for great things from DWJ as well
March 21st, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
"Loves to play defense."
We welcome you with open arms, Zak.
Sound like two very talented players with good heads on their shoulders. Beilein knows what he is looking for in recruits and seems to get it.
I sat next to Irvin and his dad at a home game against Penn State while they were visiting Michigan in January of 2011. His dad grilled me on my experience at Michigan and I gave nothing but glowing reviews (obviously) of the combination of academics and athletics. I think his dad was already sold to be honest, but that was my small contribution to recruiting Irvin ;) Go blue tonight!
see this!!! /s