In December, senior Ethan Zhao officially committed to play Division III basketball at Pomona College. A two-time all-West Bay Athletic League selection, Zhao’s commitment marks the next chapter in a journey that began when he first picked up a basketball at four years old.
Zhao was selected to play on Menlo’s varsity team as a freshman, an experience that he says helped shape his growth as a player and a teammate. “I think it was really beneficial to be a freshman on varsity because although I didn’t play as much, practicing with the older guys and watching them play really helped me develop a good sense of what high school basketball was like,” Zhao said.
Zhao’s recruiting process ramped up towards the end of his sophomore year and into his junior year. “That [junior] season was really important,” Zhao said. “You basically have to send a lot of film [and] a lot of highlights, while continuing to compete in club basketball, showcases and summer camps to stay in contact with college coaches.”
Zhao said he was looking at DIII schools known for their strong academics. Pomona was not initially on his radar although it fit what he wanted. “You never know who could be interested, so keep your options open with recruiting,” he said. His interest in the school surged after a Pomona coach reached out following one of Zhao’s AAU tournaments last year. “He seemed really interested, and because of that, I really started to focus more on Pomona,” Zhao said. After visiting campus, meeting the team and seeing all that Pomona has to offer, Zhao felt right at home. “When both sides reciprocated the effort and interest, that’s when it really all worked out,” he said.
Varsity head coach Ben Batory praised Zhao’s impact on the program. “Ethan’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached, and that’s saying something from over 25 years of coaching,” Batory said. He added that Zhao was a leader both on and off the court.
At Pomona, Zhao is most excited about playing
for head coach Charles Katsiaficas, who is in his 38th season with the team. “I’m really excited to play under him since he’s so experienced and loved there,” Zhao said.
