Wisconsin Lutheran's Zens requests release from NLI with Northern Iowa
Fresh off winning Mr. Basketball and a third straight WIAA state title with Wisconsin Lutheran, Zavier Zens is back on the market in the Class of 2026.
Wisconsin Lutheran senior and 2026 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Mr. Basketball Award winner Zavier Zens is back on the market in the Class of 2026, after requesting a release from his National Letter of Intent with Northern Iowa on March 30. Zens confirmed a report by Nick Osen of 247 Sports with the Journal Sentinel that he will not be joining the Panthers of Northern Iowa after a coaching change.
Ben Jacobson was named the new head coach at Utah State earlier in the day after 20 years at Northern Iowa. "100% due to coaching change," Zens told the Journal Sentinel with regard to his motivation. The 6-foot-7 Zens should be a compelling commodity for a program looking to make a late addition to their 2026 recruiting class.
He picked up Gatorade player of the year and Naismith All-American honorable mention awards along with Mr. Basketball for a season in which he led Wisconsin Lutheran to a third straight WIAA state title . Zens led the Vikings in scoring average on the year (23.
4 points per game), while averaging 5. 4 rebounds, 4. 4 assists and shooting 61.