Zena Edosomwan, 17, Jumps in Recruiter Rankings

Zena Edosomwan, 17, a North Hollywood resident who goes to Studio City’s Harvard-Westlake School, is getting his pick in colleges this summer and was just elevated to 62 in the top 100 recruits in the nation, according to Scout.com.

The 6-foot-8 youth isn’t getting higher just because of his height, but because of his work ethic, teamwork and fast on-court skills, according to the sports analysts who have seen this remarkable athlete at work.

"This is amazing,” Edosomwan said, and then he quipped. “All this attention, and I haven't even shaved yet."

Edosomwan was a chubby kid, and began playing basketball in fifth grade. He wasn’t very good when he started, and said, "Everybody made fun of me."

Today he can leap over his opponents and is known as an outstanding power forward.

The University of California Golden Bears and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have just recently asked them to join their teams. And, he has offers on the table already from Arizona State, Colorado, Gonzaga, Harvard, Maryland, Missouri, USC and Washington State. 

He is considered one of the best power forwards, getting four stars and sports columnist Eric Sondheimer from the Los Angeles Times called him “the most scrutinized prospect in Los Angeles because word is spreading that he possesses the kind of raw talent all coaches seek.”

"He's improved so quickly over such a short time because he started so late in the game that his learning curve is almost straight up," Harvard-Westlake Coach Greg Hilliard said. "Every time a coach sees him, the improvement has been so significant that they get more and more excited. Right now, he's a very hot player."

The youth went to Virginia over the summer for the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 High School Camp. He still plans to compete in travel events in Las Vegas, Indiana, Minnesota and other places.

As a junior on the school team last year, he averaged 17 points and 10.3 rebounds.

In his most stellar game against Santa Monica, he scored 35 points and 13 rebounds.

Check out a video interview above of this Whiz Kid, and click here for more in the Los Angeles Times.