MBB: 2026 Guard Marcus Zelee Commits to Iowa State

[JakeBrend]

Marcus Zelee announced his commitment to Iowa State today, making the guard the third commit in T.J. Otzelberger‘s 2026 class.

2026 Guard Marcus Zelee Commits to Iowa State

Marcus Zelee announced his commitment to Iowa State today, making the guard the third commit in T.J. Otzelberger's 2026 class. 1000% Committed #CycloneNation Man! This journey was a long process THANK YOU GOD!! Thank you to all the ones who supported me along this process I couldn't ask for more!

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[Drew0311]

Marcus Zelee announced his commitment to Iowa State today, making the guard the third commit in T.J. Otzelberger‘s 2026 class.

2026 Guard Marcus Zelee Commits to Iowa State

Marcus Zelee announced his commitment to Iowa State today, making the guard the third commit in T.J. Otzelberger's 2026 class. 1000% Committed #CycloneNation Man! This journey was a long process THANK YOU GOD!! Thank you to all the ones who supported me along this process I couldn't ask for more!

cyclonefanatic.com

Be interesting to see who comes for him now that he committed to Iowa State. Also, see if we see a bump in ratings. Highlights look promising.

 

[LLCoolCY]

From the quote already has the ISU MBB mentality… easy to see why the staff moved fast to get the commitment.

 

[WISCY1895]

Kid prides himself on being a relentless defender. Yeah that’s a fit

 

[Frak]

I'm sure he's a good player, but what changed? Why are we offering a '26 PG this late in the process?

 

[clone52]

I

I'm sure he's a good player, but what changed? Why are we offering a '26 PG this late in the process?

I imagine you are always recruiting. It's never done. You might find someone new who's a perfect fit.

 

[WISCY1895]

I'm sure he's a good player, but what changed? Why are we offering a '26 PG this late in the process?

I think Gray is the true PG of the class. Zelee is more of the combo guard like a Gilbert. Wiggins is a wing outside shooter. So realistically there’s a home for all 3

 

[VeloClone]

I think Gray is the true PG of the class. Zelee is more of the combo guard like a Gilbert. Wiggins is a wing outside shooter. So realistically there’s a home for all 3

I need to get busy and subscribe to premium just for the eggplant emoji...

 

[CycloneT]

I'm sure he's a good player, but what changed? Why are we offering a '26 PG this late in the process?

It’s not even late in the process. TJ just usually finishes before everyone else gets started

 

[Pope]

“I’m coming to win a Big 12 title — multiple times — and to make a deep run and win the NCAA Tournament. I’ll bring energy 24/7, on and off the court. I’m for the people and the city. And I WILL be the best version of myself every single day.”


Love this young man's attitude. Welcome home, Marcus! You're gonna love your new family!

 

[FerShizzle]

he can shoot. quick release too.

 

[nfrine]

I'm sure he's a good player, but what changed? Why are we offering a '26 PG this late in the process?

It's obvious, TJ is out of gas.

 

[Bipolarcy]

In those clips, he looks about three steps faster than everyone else on the court.

 

[iseedit]

Looks like the kid has a knack for stealing the ball. Lightning fast hands! Poor Tamin's steal record might not last very long.

 

[t-noah]

Welcome to the Cyclones, Marcus!

 

[Sigmapolis]

I think Gray is the true PG of the class. Zelee is more of the combo guard like a Gilbert. Wiggins is a wing outside shooter. So realistically there’s a home for all 3

Can't have too many high-quality guards.

Lipsey, Heise, and Nelson are done after next season. Jefferson is a secondary ballhandler and is done after this year. Even if Toure and Batemon hit, they're going to need to replenish the backcourt.

TJ doesn't bat 1.000, but if the staff felt this strongly about a young man, then bring him on down.

 

[Frak]

It's obvious, TJ is out of gas.

That’s not what I’m saying at all. Usually TJ has his targets lined up well in advance. This kid gets an offer fairly late in the process compared to most recruits we’ve seen. That leads me to believe either some of the current players on the roster aren’t as good as they hoped, the other commits aren’t as good as they hoped, or someone like Mason Williams isn’t going to recover 100%. Or maybe this kid just blew up and we couldn’t pass on him.

This just seems a little out of the ordinary from our usual recruiting.

 

[moores2]

Or, they got to know the kid late in the process because he isn't a high caliber guy (especially in Texas where the staff doesn't have a ton of connections). Got a tip to take a look at him, and fell in love late.

No idea based on highlights if the kid can play basketball, but every clip is him being an absolute junkyard dog. He will do just fine in Ames.

 

[LLCoolCY]

That’s not what I’m saying at all. Usually TJ has his targets lined up well in advance. This kid gets an offer fairly late in the process compared to most recruits we’ve seen. That leads me to believe either some of the current players on the roster aren’t as good as they hoped, the other commits aren’t as good as they hoped, or someone like Mason Williams isn’t going to recover 100%. Or maybe this kid just blew up and we couldn’t pass on him.

This just seems a little out of the ordinary from our usual recruiting.

All fair... but Macari Moore decommitting late in the spring as a result of taking Toure changed the staff's plan. I assume the staff wanted 2 PG in this years class to be prepared for when Tamin leaves and I can see the staff now doubling up on next years PG/CG takes to have options.

 

[Statefan10]

That’s not what I’m saying at all. Usually TJ has his targets lined up well in advance. This kid gets an offer fairly late in the process compared to most recruits we’ve seen. That leads me to believe either some of the current players on the roster aren’t as good as they hoped, the other commits aren’t as good as they hoped, or someone like Mason Williams isn’t going to recover 100%. Or maybe this kid just blew up and we couldn’t pass on him.

This just seems a little out of the ordinary from our usual recruiting.

Well the staff so far absolutely love Toure and Batemon. Mason Williams had a standard hip procedure done like Naz had. Doubt they’re too worried about him at this point as there’s nothing to worry about.

I think you’re reading a bit far into this. You can never have enough good guards and this kid looks like the epitome of what TJ is looking for.