Positivity is Zed’s Key: How Ohio State Basketball freshman navigated his first semester amid pandemic

Jacob Benge
Thu, 07 Jan 2021 19:11:09 +0000
Faces of Ohio State

Zed Key grew up in Bayshore, New York, and earned a scholarship to play Division I basketball at Ohio State. Not only was he going to move to a new state and play on a new team, but he would also have to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So when a moment to slip away from the pressure of practicing and meeting expectations athletically and socially presented itself, Key took it.

“In the locker room, I was feeling this song, had my eyes closed, really singing in my feelings,” Key said. “I open my eyes and everyone’s dying laughing, just so weak at me.”

The Ohio State forward has remained persistent in adjusting to the new challenges life has posed to him, both on and off the court.

Key, a first-year in exploration, said having trust and optimism was essential to learning the system of which the Ohio State men’s basketball team operates.

“I’m extremely excited to be able to play,” Key said. “My first year here, just to get on the court with my teammates and compete at a high level.”

When he first arrived at Ohio State in the summer, the city of Columbus piqued his interest.

“It was different, I’m not going to lie,” Key said. “When I came here I was like, ‘Wow, this is totally different than New York.’ But you get used to it, and I liked it. It’s a lot quieter than New York.”

As the semester went on, Key began to settle in. He said it was convenient that classes were conducted virtually so he could get on his laptop from his home after practice.

Chris Holtmann, head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team, said he’s confident with the way Key has grown up and adjusted to the demands of college basketball. He said Key has shown “a real maturity” and will factor into the rotation.

“I think Zed and Gene (Brown III) have both been really, really impressive in their adjustment to the grind of what we’re doing,” Holtmann said. “His teammates find the way he is to be really endearing and funny. They have a good time with him. He’s a really thoughtful, smart, bright guy from a terrific family.”

There are 10 upperclassmen on Ohio State’s roster, resulting in many opportunities for Key to take advice from his teammates about basketball and life in general.

“I learn a lot, I learn every day from them,” Key said. “Them being there for a long time, you pick up on things and learn things from them on what they do, what to do, what not to do.”

Key said it was tricky to learn new plays in the preseason, but as the season opener approached, he got into a rhythm.

The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 6.8 points per game and 3.7 rebounds through his first 11 games as a Buckeye, including the seventh-most minutes per game with 14.3.

Key said he has made memories on and off the court with his teammates, but basketball is not his only pastime.?

In his time away from the court, Key engages his interest in cars. He owns and works on a 1978 Oldsmobile 98 and said for as much time and knowledge he has in the car industry, he could have a future working in an auto shop.

“That would be great if I could open up my own mechanic shop or work in a mechanic shop,” Key said. “Working on cars, just having that knowledge so you won’t feel helpless when your car starts breaking and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, what’s happening?’ You can diagnose it yourself.”

The strides Key has made in the adjustments to college basketball, academics and life have challenged him. But he said he’s enjoyed the demands and encouraged others to take things one day at a time even when the going gets difficult.

“Just to keep working hard,” Key said. “If you keep pushing, you’re eventually going to get it. I’m starting to see the benefits. You’re going to get better at it.”