CLEVELAND, Ohio - Vinny Zollo (Winchester, Ky.), who played last season at Northwest Florida State J.C., has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Cleveland State and play basketball beginning in the fall of 2014.
Zollo will have two years of eligibility remaining.
"Vinny will bring versatility to our program and our front court," head coach Gary Waters said. "He has the ability to play inside and outside and we really liked that he has Division I basketball playing experience, as well as experience playing in the NCAA tournament. We are excited about the energy and athleticism that he will bring to our front court for the next two years."
A four-year standout at George Rogers Clark H.S. in Kentucky, Zollo was a three-time All-10th Region selection and two-time all-state pick. In 2011, he guided the Cardinals to a 10th Region title and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Sweet 16.
The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Zollo spent the 2011-12 season at Western Kentucky where he played in all 35 games, including 14 starts, and helped the Hilltoppers to the Sun Belt Conference title and a bid to the NCAA tournament. He helped WKU to a first round win over Mississippi Valley State with six points and three rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.
He shot 40-percent from the field and knocked down 20 three-pointers as a freshman.
This past season, Zollo helped NWF State to a 22-6 mark, playing in 27 games. He was part of a loaded front court that included four other players who have signed with Division I schools. Zollo had an 11-point, 14-rebound effort in a win over Gulf Coast State late in the season that kept NWF State alive for the Panhandle Conference Championship.
The team finished the season ranked fifth in the Florida College System Activities Association Coaches Poll.
Zollo is the fourth committment for CSU this year, joining guard Terrell Hales (Detroit, Mich./Douglas) and forward Jonothan Janssen (Queensland, Australia/Mt. Zion Prep) who signed with CSU in the early signing period in November and guard Kenny Carpenter (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) who inked with the Vikings in mid-April.
