Ohio City - Before Saint Ignatius' daily Varsity Basketball practices, a large in stature, but not imposing man, can be found in Father Sullivan Gymnasium spending pre-practice time with the Wildcats' post players.

 This corner uses the words "not imposing," because the man referred to always carries a smile as big as his 7-foot-2 frame, a smile that is accompanied by a genuine hello and the greeting, "How are you feeling today?"

 Cleveland Cavaliers beloved legend Zydrunas Ilgauskas, a humble, but oh so gifted man, was recognized this past week by the Cleveland sports community with the Lifetime Achievement Honor during the 18th annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards celebration in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

 As is his nature, "Big Z," a nickname Saint Ignatius' Students and Student-Athletes love to refer to when talking about Zydrunas, described the Lifetime Achievement Honor as "very humbling."

 For those not completely familiar with Zydrunas' professional sports career, he was selected by the Cavaliers with the 20th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. On August 1, 1996, he signed a multi-year deal with the Cavs.

"Big Z" averaged 17.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 2002–03 and was selected as an NBA All-Star. In the summer of 2009, the Cavaliers acquired Shaquille O'Neal. When asked about the trade, Zydrunas responded: "I was just reading the news. That means I'll probably be coming off the bench." On December 2, 2009, "Big Z" came off the bench in a game against Phoenix Suns and broke the team record for career games played.

 On February 17, 2010, Zydrunas, along with a 2010 first round pick and the rights to Emir Preldzic, was traded from the Cavaliers to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team, six-player trade. In late March of 2010, "Big Z" signed a one-year deal with the Cavaliers for the remainder of the 2009–10 season. He made his return a day later in a victory over the New Orleans Hornets. In his first home game back with the Cavaliers, versus the Sacramento Kings, Zydrunas received huge ovations and support from the crowd. Quicken Loans Arena was affectionately renamed "The Z" for the day, in honor of the outstanding Lithuanian athlete.

 Saint Ignatius was blessed at the start of the 2015-16 season, when Hall of Fame Head Basketball Coach Brian Becker '77, Zydrunas' good friend, convinced "Big Z" to help him out as a special instructor for the Wildcats' posts and forwards.

 This past week, this old gym rat and seasoned reporter, who is blessed to be part of Saint Ignatius Athletics, talked with a few of the Wildcats' standout post players and Coach Becker about the man they know best, the man who always refers to the Wildcats as "Great Kids."

 Here are their impressions of "Big Z."

 From senior post/forward Aymin Bahhur: "Coming in sophomore year I wasn't really skilled in the post," Aymin said. "Before practice and after practice "Z" is always there on time ready to work with the bigs. He works on the little things, post work, footwork and getting open. Having played in the NBA, he is really knowledgeable about the game. He understands the ins and outs about what to do in the post. And even things off the court, about being a leader. He is a really good coach and I truly appreciate everything he has done for us."

 From senior post Dom DiNunzio: "I think the biggest thing "Z" has done for us is his dedication to our team. Specifically before and right after practice. He always shows about 45 minutes early just to work on post moves so we can get some extra work in. And even after practice too, he stays with me and Kevin (Wildcats promising 6-9 junior post Kevin Davet) and we do a bunch of footwork. He's a great, knowledgeable guy. He always tell us to shoot the ball. If you catch the ball inside shoot it. He tells us not to get frustrated, because we do get frustrated when we miss shots. He always says the next one is going up. To be with a man who has been there, done that and has played against the best players in the world, it's a pretty crazy feeling."

 From senior post/forward Luke Wiskes: "The first time I met "Z" was the first time I worked out with Saint Ignatius guys. So I walked into the gym and I was wide-eyed looking up at him. It was the coolest thing because A, I thought it was just a novelty, a one-time deal working out with "Z." He is almost at every practice and is dedicated to us. There are about 50 forms of post moves that he does with us. It is really cool to pick his brain, because he has done everything. He is so good at relating to the players. If we're down, he understands why we're down and helps us get out of it. He's not the loudest guy in the room, but he'll come over and talk to you about there being a lot of ups and downs in a season, and that means a lot."

 From the above-mentioned Kevin Davet: "I know we all appreciate the things "Z" has done for us. He doesn't have to be here, but he chooses to. He's a Cleveland hero, they hung his Jersey up. It's really incredible, I remember watching him play in the NBA when I was younger. It is awesome having him work with us. He is always willing to put in the extra hours. Freshman year was the first time I worked out with "Z." I was really raw with post moves, I wasn't really that good in the post. He helped me out with what I needed to work on."

 As Aymin Bahhur added, Zydrunas never brings up what he did on the court, that he is a down to earth man that is so easy to talk to. Saint Ignatius' outstanding Assistant Coach Kevin Neitzel '90 put it into words that the entire Saint Ignatius community can appreciate - "Zydrunas is a Man for Others."

AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, THE MAN WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HIS PLAYERS TO HAVE ZYDRUNAS AS PART OF THEIR LIVES, COACH BECKER

 "He is one of the most humble, knowledgeable guys that I have ever known," Coach Becker said. "He comes to practice with the true spirit of giving. He just wants to teach these kids, and not just about basketball. He wants them to become good citizens and to me, that is what is really important. He's a great role model and I don't think there are enough role models out there. He's a professional guy who is really established. For him to come to us and give back, it's just a wonderful thing."