Charlotte Hornets: Cody Zeller Cracks Sports Illustrated's Top-100
Sports Illustrated has released their list of top-100 NBA players and Charlotte Hornets’ big man, Cody Zeller, barely made the cut.
Cody Zeller had a career year for the Charlotte Hornets last season and people have taken notice. Especially Sports Illustrated as they have put him inside their top-100 NBA players heading into the 2016-17 season. Zeller came in at #94 on the list as he barely cracked the top-100.
After receiving added playing time due to injuries to Al Jefferson, Cody made use of his opportunity. He averaged career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks per game, and minutes per game. Not to mention, that Zeller shot a career high 52.9% from the field which was an excellent improvement from him.
Rob Mahoney ranked the 7’0 big man after he did not appear on the list last season. That was to be expected because of his increase in minutes and production from last year. He came in ahead of some notable names like J.R. Smith, Manu Ginobili, Brandon Knight, and Aaron Gordon.
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The 23-year old big man averaged 8.7 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assists per game this past season. He appeared in 73 games for Charlotte and started 60 of them while playing 24.3 minutes per game. Cody also shot 52.9% from the field and 75.4% from the free throw line.
Cody is the first Hornets’ player to come in on the SI Top-100 list. Although it is only an offseason list, it shows the growth of Zeller’s game and that experts have taken notice of it. He still has aways to go before becoming a top-level center/big man in the league but he has continued to improve.
Mahoney gave a short positives and negatives for Zeller:
+Balanced, unassuming contributor who doesn’t take anything off the table
+ Found his comfort zone as soon as his team gave him the space needed to succeed
– After three years in the league, Zeller has yet to show any reliable shooting range
– Most comfortable as an NBA player in a limited, tertiary role
Zeller should begin the season as the Charlotte Hornets’ starting center. He will get more minutes this season and more responsibility with the team. If he can contribute at a high level this year, Cody will see another bump up in this ranking.