Hoops Habit
Fansided

2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Entering March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 32
Next
Feb 27, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Runnin
Feb 27, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Runnin /

19. Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV Rebels

Position: Center

Age: 19

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

Slash Line: .477/.294/.624

Season Averages: 26.2 MPG, 10.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 0.8 APG, 2.0 BPG

Analysis

Stephen Zimmerman would benefit from spending another year with the UNLV Rebels. As a 7’0″ center with a 7’3″ wingspan and a raw skill set that adequately fits the current direction of the NBA, however, it’d be hard to fault him for entering the draft.

The best possible outcome for Zimmerman would be to land in this range and become the backup to a veteran player who can mentor him during his early NBA seasons.

Zimmerman’s physical gifts are enough to intrigue the masses, with the size and length to be a defensive anchor, and the mobility to be a game-changer on offense. He can run the floor in transition, fluidly dive off of high screens, and make an impact without the ball.

Zimmerman also has a solid jump shot with expanding range and the form to develop into a knockdown threat from beyond the arc.

The southpaw big man has underwhelmed at points of the 2015-16 season, but his combination of size and skill is perfect for the current era of NBA basketball. He can be a center in traditional or small-ball sets, and that type of versatility is tough to find.

Zimmerman has more than proven himself as a shot-blocker, averaging 3.0 blocks per 40 minutes, which is further reason to believe that he can thrive in the NBA.

Next: The Quiet Riser