Exciting North Harbour U19 representative and Rangitoto College guard Zach Riley has announced that he has committed to Fordham University in New York to pursue his collegiate career.

The Fordham Rams play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference and are coached by Kyle Neptune.

Zach will join a long line of Rangitoto College alumni to have played at NCAA Division I colleges including Sean Marks, Isaac and Dan Fotu, Tai Wynyard, Sam Waardenburg, Penina Davidson and Brooke Blair.

Zach emphasised that when making his choice to attend Fordham the schooling opportunities presented were as important as the playing prospects. 

“The academic side at Fordham swayed the decision,” said Zach.

“It’s known as a very good academic school, the team play in a good conference and we felt very comfortable with the decision despite receiving some other offers.”

The location of the university, in the heart of New York, was also a factor when deciding on Fordham.

“It’s a prime location and perfect for what I was looking for, enthused Zach.”

Son of Tall Black and 2000 Olympian Brad Riley, Zach also has plenty of guidance at home from both mum and dad.

“Dad has been through the basketball side of things as he went to the States to play also and Mum has been a teacher all her career and has always emphasised that schooling is important.”

“The Principal at Massey High School, where mum teaches, is Glen Denham and both he and Vince Minjares at Harbour Basketball have been very helpful in the selection process.”

Vince Minjares, the Harbour Basketball Development Officer is delighted to have played a part in Zach’s choice and is sure the 18-year old will make an impact at Fordham.

“I’m so excited for Zach and think Fordham is a great fit. Zach will thrive at a strong academic school playing in an excellent conference. I know the coaching staff were thrilled to receive his commitment.

“Zach is a super skilled, ultra-competitive kid who has been well coached and comes from a supportive family. If history is our guide, then Zach’s effort and team-first attitude will earn him many fans in America, Vince added.”

Another who has given Zach and his family plenty of support is Harbour U19 and Rangitoto College premier team coach Kenny Stone. He has no doubt that his young protégé has what it takes to make his collegiate career a success.

“Hard work, effort and desire will translate to success wherever you play and with Zach, Fordham will be getting that in spades. 

“They are also getting a great young man that will represent them well on and off the court. I'm really excited to see the impact Zach will have on their programme,” added Stone. 

In addition to helping Harbour to a third-place finish at U19 Nationals and Rangitoto College to the final of the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier League Final  Zach has recently come off an outstanding rookie Sal’s NBL season with the Sky Tower Auckland Huskies.

At the start of the season Huskies coach Aaron Young expressed confidence that his teenage guard would flourish against older, more experienced players.

“I’ve coached against him at high school level and believe he has a massive upside just because of his mindset.

“He’s a fearless young-gun who just gets out there and plays his game no matter who the opposition.”

Young’s confidence proved to be well founded.

Playing almost 30 minutes a game Zach averaged 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game capped off by a 32-points performance against the Taranaki Mountainairs in July.

However those numbers don’t do justice to the impact he had as it was his defensive abilities that really caught the eye. Invariably he was called upon to mark the opposition’s premier scoring guard and Riley never shirked his responsibilities continually harassing and chasing down his opposite number – his speed and footwork belying his youth.

His consistent performances for the Huskies deservedly won Zach the NBL Youth Player of the Year Award.

All the games in the 2021 NBL season were live on ESPN which Zach believes worked in his favour.

“It certainly increased interest from schools and helped greatly that coaches could access game tapes so easily.”

It is believed that Riley will be the first New Zealander to have played on the men’s programme at Fordham. However he is certainly not the first to wear the maroon singlet of the Rams.

Kendell Heremaia is currently a senior on the women’s team at Fordham while Tall Fern and Harbour Breeze 2020 NBL championship winning guard Zara Jillings is a graduate of the university. 

It’s unclear when Zach will head to New York but right now he is focused on the remainder of his time at Rangitoto College hoping that the Covid lockdown is not a prolonged affair.

“I’ll be gutted if Secondary Schools Nationals are cancelled for a second successive year. 

“Think positive is the message,” he concluded.

It’s certainly been a positive year to date for Zach.

All at Harbour Basketball wish Zach the very best for his future basketball and academic endeavours.