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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Pro Comparisons for Top 30 Prospects

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 16, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) celebrate a basket in their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) celebrate a basket in their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2016; Laramie, WY, USA; UNLV Runnin’ Rebels forward Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (33) brings the ball up court against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first half at Arena-Auditorium. The Cowboys beat the Runnin’ Rebels 59-57. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Laramie, WY, USA; UNLV Runnin’ Rebels forward Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (33) brings the ball up court against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first half at Arena-Auditorium. The Cowboys beat the Runnin’ Rebels 59-57. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Stephen Zimmerman Jr., UNLV Rebels

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Al Horford

Safe Upside Comparison: Raef Lafrentz

Position: Center

Age: 19 (9/9/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 235 pounds, 7’3″

Slash Line: .475/.357/.625

Season Averages: 25.7 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 2.1 BPG

One could debate whether or not Stephen Zimmerman would thrive in previous eras, but it’s clear that he fits the current one. He’s a 7’0″ center with a 7’3″ wingspan, impressive touch from within the free throw line, and the range to space the floor as a shooter.

The UNLV Rebels star has all of the tools to be a potential lottery pick, but a potentially season-ending injury hurts his ranking.

Zimmerman’s size is intriguing unto itself, but it’s his ability to space the floor out to the 3-point line that has many intrigued. Upon developing a more consistent shot from beyond the arc, he could continue the modern evolution of the center position.

Zimmerman isn’t exactly Karl-Anthony Towns as a prospect, but he shares a similar skill set with less explosiveness and present-day core strength.

Zimmerman has the potential to be a Raef LaFrentz type of player at 7’0″—LaFrentz was 6’11″—with 3-point range and the ability to consistently alter shots. Troy Murphy is another fair comparison, but he lacked the shot-blocking ability that Zimmerman displays.

With a midrange game that’s becoming prettier by the day, Zimmerman’s upside is fairly comparable to three-time All-Star and Atlanta Hawks star Al Horford, albeit with superior height.

Next: The Standout International Wing

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