Wasn't MC previously a football player, which is why Zack had him try-out for the team? Not sure how any advice Zo would give him about basketball would have translated.
As for nobody telling MC he lived close to Zo, wouldn't he have been on the road a lot? Then he retired when MC moved away for 5 years. Not to mention, I wouldn't say they live "near". On Alexis path she tells him she'll see him in 10 after his run in the park, he says he's not even close. Also Adriana needing to drive him home after taking Alexis clubbing.