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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 /
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27. Ante Zizic, Cibona Zagreb

Position: Center

Age: 19 (1/4/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 254 pounds, 7’3″

Slash Line: .639/.000/.700

Season Averages: 25.7 MPG, 13.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.6 ORPG, 1.4 BPG

Analysis

If you need an international big man to get excited about, Ante Zizic is perfect for you. He isn’t the most skilled of players in this draft class, but he’s a big and mobile center who moves well without the ball in his hands, and plays with a chip on his shoulder.

Skills can be taught and fundamentals improved, but a motor as rabid as Zizic’s either exists or it doesn’t.

Zizic is an outstanding rebounder who boxes out, embraces physicality, and relentlessly attacks the glass on both ends. He’s a respectable shot-blocker, although his defensive impact is found more in his effort and energy than his production and timing.

Offensively, Zizic will get his points as a pick-and-roll finisher and an offensive rebounder who stays in constant motion.

Zizic must improve fundamentally in order to live up to his potential. He doesn’t offer much as a shooter, doesn’t see the floor as well as one would like him to as a passer, and has a relatively underwhelming arsenal of moves with his back to the basket.

True as that may be, one can’t help but be intrigued by a near 7’0″ center who has the length and energy to make an impact in every game he plays.

Next: The Powerhouse, Part II