Florida Gators offer one handed Zach Hodskins to play for team

[Sportsguy9695]

Zach Hodskins, a high school guard from Alpharetta, Ga., was born without the lower half of his left arm because of a birth defect, which would seem to make a basketball career impossible.

But not only has Hodskins become a star basketball player -- which would be impressive in and of itself -- he was offered a spot by Florida coach Billy Donovan as a preferred walk-on, Yahoo!'s Prep Rally reported Thursday.

Hodskins' story already has received a fair amount of media attention. As Yahoo!'s Prep Rally reported Thursday, Hodskins was so impressive during the 2013 summer AAU circuit that one recruiting site selected him the most impressive prospect among some of the nation's top players at the ScoutsFocus All-American Camp in Charlottesville, Va., in June.

Source: ESPN

 

[Brother]

A preferred walk-on? Preferred to what? A crawl-on?

 

[Runeman]

Billy Donovan just being Billy Donovan; someone who cares about his team and players. Why not give that person a chance to see if he can really play? It might be inspirational for the Florida players and people across the country to take notice of people overcoming adversity.

 

[ktg8trgrl]

That is awesome! I'm such a fan of CBD, his heart is really big and I hope the kid does so fantastic that he can't not make the team!!

 

[NDHoosier101]

If he offered him a scholarship I woulda shit my pants. What's the distinction between a preferred walkon and a walkon. "Sure son, you should come try out for the team." I guess I'm just not that impressed.

 

[ktg8trgrl]

The Florida offer doesn't include a scholarship, but it does offer the chance to earn one down the line, plus the opportunity to play at one of the premier programs in the country.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

this is a great story. I love when i see stories like these

 

[jonvi]

I hope the young man is good enough to see the court.

Way to go Billy D. The man's a leader.

 

[HammerDown]

this is a great story. I love when i see stories like these

What's so great about it? You mean all the cheap publicity Florida is getting out of it? What is it you love about this story?

 

[HammerDown]

Billy Donovan just being Billy Donovan; someone who cares about his team and players. Why not give that person a chance to see if he can really play? It might be inspirational for the Florida players and people across the country to take notice of people overcoming adversity.

I think I just threw up in my mouth.

 

[uncfan103]

If he offered him a scholarship I woulda shit my pants. What's the distinction between a preferred walkon and a walkon. "Sure son, you should come try out for the team." I guess I'm just not that impressed.

I think preferred walkons are recruited players that the coach wants to tryout. A non preferred walkon is someone who is a student and decides to try out. At unc a preferred walkon is on the varsity team as a freshman whereas the other walkons typically play jv until their junior or senior year.

 

[HammerDown]

If he offered him a scholarship I woulda shit my pants. What's the distinction between a preferred walkon and a walkon. "Sure son, you should come try out for the team." I guess I'm just not that impressed.

I'm impressed (and thoroughly disgusted) with the extent that Billy Donovan will go to to patronize a handicapped person for some cheap publicity.

 

[Runeman]

I think I just threw up in my mouth.

I'm impressed (and thoroughly disgusted) with the extent that Billy Donovan will go to to patronize a handicapped person for some cheap publicity.

I suspect you have never been accused of having any class???? That said, you don't know Coach Donovan; we do and now we know you. Have a nice day.

 

[redseat]

I suspect you have never been accused of having any class???? That said, you don't know Coach Donovan; we do and now we know you. Have a nice day.

Do you know the man personally? if not than you can't say you know him either

 

[Brother]

A preferred walk-on? Preferred to what? A crawl-on?

My thing is the need to include the phrase "preferred walk-on" in the article. As if that is some big shit, that means 6th string at best. If the kid has a desire to PLAY at the D1 level he should set his sights on a school more suited to his abilities and talent level. Happens every year. Kid thinks they are Jordan but settle on going to Rice for playing time. This kid will make a similar decision for playing time. And I'm with those who say Fuck Billy Donovan.

 

[Brother]

And ... Memphis gone kick dat ass in the Jimmy V. Dec. 17

 

[uncfan103]

I'm impressed (and thoroughly disgusted) with the extent that Billy Donovan will go to to patronize a handicapped person for some cheap publicity.

What makes you think he isn't qualified to play for UF?

 

[HammerDown]

What makes you think he isn't qualified to play for UF?

So your question is "What makes you think a person with a major handicap isn't qualified to play basketball in Div. I?"

 

[uncfan103]

I'm impressed (and thoroughly disgusted) with the extent that Billy Donovan will go to to patronize a handicapped person for some cheap publicity.

He's also not the only handicapped player playing for a power conference school

 

[uncfan103]

Take a wild guess.

I'm serious. Are you judging him based on the fact that he is handicapped? Have you seen him play, it sounds like based on what the scouts said about him in that article that there's no reason he can't ride the bench at Florida.