Here we continue to examine the top prospect for the 2013 NBA Draft. Today we examine:
Cody Zeller will now sit and wait to hear his name called. (Photo credit: Indiana Public Media)
Cody Zeller, C, Indiana 6’11” 240 lbs
2012-13 Collegiate Stat Line: (all stats courtesy ESPN.com)
16.5 points, 56% field goals, 75% free throws, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 2.3 turnovers
The Skinny:
After entering the 2012-13 season as the favorite to win the National Player of the Year award, Cody Zeller helped lead Indiana through a stellar season while having an up-and-down season. Some games he would be doninant, others he would be disappear. Hard to imagine, but Zeller’s stock has gone from a potential first overall pick to a possibly falling out of the top 10.
Strengths:
For a big man, Cody Zeller runs the floor with great patience and energy. If you don’t account for him in transition, he’ll beat you to the basket for the easy score. Nimble feet allows him to maneuver inside the lane to adjust for the defensive presence. At times he can assert his dominance in the post with his big frame.
His size and length make him a rebounding threat. Can tower over defenders and positions himself well to grab the board. He’s active on the offensive end, allowing his teammates into the lane and even find him on back cuts to the rim. When he has the perfect position, you’re not going to stop him from connecting for the score.
He is an efficient and consistent scorer as well as defender; stands his ground in the lane to stop opposing offenses; quick hands to knock balls away and will hit the floor for loose balls if the opportunity presents itself.
Weaknesses:
Despite his size, he has plenty of room to grow some more muscle. He’s tall but a little lankier than NBA teams would like to see, but it won’t be a huge issue for him. However, his lack of muscle can be a huge weakness as he can be pushed around by stronger, more active defenders. He doesn’t explode for the ball and relies on his size advantage far too often.
When he doesn’t have great positioning on offense, he’s easily pushed around and can’t get to that positioning very easily. He could really help his cause by developing a short hook shot close to the basket. He does put the ball on the ground far too often in the middle of the lane, allowing defenders to knock it away for the steal. Zeller likes to fade away and make easy shots more difficult by trying to draw the foul. Most of the time he just puts himself into poor position to even get that call.
He needs to work on bulking up and finishing at the rim in traffic. His skill set is there, just needs some refinement.
Highlight Game:
March 10 at Michigan (W 72-71) 25 points, 10-for-19 field goals, 5-for-8 free throws, 10 rebounds, six turnovers
When examining Zeller’s game, the final game against Michigan is one that many scouts will look at. While the six turnovers are troubling, the consistency and dominance in the paint throughout the game is his signature performance for the season. Cody got inside and made his presence felt all game long, keeping the Hoosiers in it until the final seconds. Zeller was a dominant force when Indiana needed him to be.
Lowlight Game:
Feb. 26 at Minnesota (L 77-73) nine points, 2-for-9 field goals, 5-for-5 free throws, seven rebounds, four turnovers
It’s not always rainbows and sunshine for Cody Zeller and the game at The Barn against Minnesota proved that. Zeller got nothing going against inferior interior opponents that the Gophers had to offer and struggled all night. He ended up fouling out of the game, leaving his mark with the worst performance of the season.
Potential Landing Spots:
Cody Zeller has fallen from a projected top overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, but along with his teammate Victor Oladipo, he won’t have to wait very long for his name to be called. He could go anywhere from the No.5 pick to about the No.13 pick, likely somewhere in between there. It would be surprising to see him fall farther than the 10th pick in the draft.
Teams That Make Sense:
Philadelphia 76ers: It might not hurt to bring in a big man who can take some of pressure off if Andrew Bynum continues to be unhealthy or he does not re-sign with the 76ers this summer. Also taking into account that Spencer Hawes is an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2014, Philadelphia might want to look into a backup plan in both Bynum and Hawes are no longer viable options.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder receive the Toronto Raptor’s first round selection (Top 3 protected and 15-30 protected) through the James Harden trade with the Houston Rockets, so they likely have a Top-10 choice in the 2013 Draft.
Already a top team, there isn’t much that the Thunder need to build on with the exception of another post to replace the aging Kendrick Perkins. Oklahoma City has some other free agents to take care of, but adding Zeller into the rotation behind Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison and Perkins will allow him to work on refining his game and get physically tested in practice everyday. Those three will whip him into shape in no time.
Overall Synopsis:
Cody Zeller has the potential to be a great player in the NBA, but as he showed in the 2012-13 college season, he also has the potential to be a huge bust. If he winds up on the right team, he could do great things; wind up on the wrong team, we may never hear from him again. It’s an interesting case but somebody is going to take a shot on the kid.