Etolue’s decision to reclass to 2028 while transferring to Mt. Zion Prep should do wonders for his recruitment. He was already considered a Division I prospect, but the extra year and continued signs of improvement that he’s shown with Team Takeover and this weekend could have MM’s join the party. He closed the weekend helping Mt. Zion go 2-2 while averaging 12.8PPG, 7.8RPG and 2.3APG all while throwing down some impressive dunks along the way.

Etolue made a splash with his new team in Mt. Zion Prep National and with his combination of positional size, strength and athleticism, ensured that he would be on radars moving forward. His downhill attack was felt by his defender as he took advantage of driving lanes and uses his brute frame to absorb contact before finishing floaters or in some cases this weekend, one-handed dunks that made opposing bigs think twice. He’s a stout defender who can guard multiple spots, rebounds with urgency and is improving his decision making as a passer off the bounce. Mt. Zion went 2-2 this weekend, with both wins coming as Etolue was their leading scorer. In those games, he recorded 20 and 18 points respectively.

This MSJ team thrives when Ranson has another guy with him to fuel the scoring production and while Word exploded in the second half, Etolue was that guy in the first two frames. Particularly in the second quarter where he scored all of his 11 points as Glenelg Country looked to gain control of the game. The 6-foot-3 bully guard had a response for every bucket that his team gave up and he was most effective getting downhill or attacking gaps in the zone off swings and drawing contact in the air. He forced the Dragons out of their zone look when he knocked down two catch-and-shoot three’s to add to the Ranson outpour. Defensively I think I saw Etolue guard just about every position, especially when head coach Pat Clatchey used a smaller lineup, but he’s able to with Etolue’s physical traits to make up for the lack of size battling against opposing bigs.

Etolue was the next bright spot for the Gaels as he followed Ranson in the scoring column with 14 points. The 6-foot-3 off-ball guard is a valuable two-way weapon for head coach Pat Clatchey and tends to be assigned to the opposing team’s best perimeter threat. He spent part of his night guarding either Jones or Fisk and did a nice job fighting over screens to make things difficult despite their big nights. Offensively, Etolue was in rhythm with his catch-and-shoot opportunities from the perimeter and was assertive on his drives while absorbing contact on his trips to the rim.

A key secondary scorer alongside Ranson, Etolue scored 13 points including a key bucket and free throw in the closing minutes to help ice the game. He thrived as a physical downhill driver, showing good body control in the paint with sturdy handle on the perimeter to create advantages without a ball screen. Etolue showed the ability to create his own offense from nothing or attack decisively off the catch against a rotating defense. While he’s not the most consistent perimeter threat, he shows potential as noted by a 1-dribble pullup 3 and a smooth midrange pullup. He tracks as a clear scholarship-level prospect with a chance to earn D1 attention over the next year.

19p 8r 1a 1s vs Westtown

-Love the consistency and fluidity on his jumper off the catch. Etolue used his body well to score in transition, bullying smaller defenders on his way to the rim. His defensive activity has picked up but I still think he has a ton of potential at that end of the floor as a guard that can handle perimeter matchups as well as chest-ing up with forwards in the key. Athleticism has improved and the hip fluidity is apparent at the defensive end of the floor as he is opening up and sliding at a much higher level with opponents. 

The 6-4 shooting guard from Mount St. Joseph – A powerful and physical presence who commands attention on the court. His ability to create scoring opportunities and execute plays with poise and precision solidifies his reputation as one of the strongest shooting guards in the area. Zikom averaged 10 points, 2 steals, 6 rebounds and 1 assist a game. Had a high game of 19 points in games against Flint Hill and Westtown.

Zikam Etolue was on a mission for Mt. St. Joseph against PVI. He had his mind set on attacking the rim and did it effectively. Zikam is a good athlete and skilled in the paint. He lived at the line and caused PVI a lot of trouble. He finished with 22 points.