A Fresh Face in Denton
The University of North Texas announced Tuesday that it has secured a commitment from Marcus Zelee, a highly touted freshman guard from Austin, Texas, to join the Mean Green for the 2026‑27 season.
High School Highlights
Standing 6‑foot‑3, Zelee arrives after a standout prep career at Austin Prep Academy, where he helped the team reach the Texas Christian Athletic League 5A State Championship finals and earned first‑team all‑state honors.
During his senior year he averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 assists and 3.0 steals per game, figures that placed him among the top prospects in the state.
Coach’s Vision
Head coach Daniyal Robinson praised the newcomer, describing Zelee as a player who combines toughness, confidence and a competitive spirit that can shift momentum on both ends of the floor.
Robinson added that Zelee’s ability to create plays and defend multiple positions aligns with the program’s vision for a more dynamic roster.
Recruiting Journey
The recruit’s path to North Texas has been anything but straightforward. After pledging to Iowa State in the summer of 2025, Zelee reopened his options and ultimately chose the Mean Green over a slate of suitors that included the University of California, Berkeley, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Long Island University, Mississippi State, Northern Illinois and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Ranked No. 35 overall in Texas for the class of 2026 and No. 63 nationally among point guards by 247Sports, Zelee brings a pedigree that could accelerate the team’s rebuild.
The addition of Zelee comes as the Mean Green look to rebound from a season that fell short of expectations, with the coaching staff emphasizing toughness and resilience as core values.