Tyler Zeller, Senior, Center, UNC
Overview:
How many prototypical centers play in the NBA right now? The number is less than five. Tyler Zeller fits that mold. He is a seven foot, athletic big man with a post-up game. Thus, he is a very rare and coveted commodity.
Coming back for his senior season, Zeller hopes to win a championship with the Tar Heels but also set himself up nicely to improve his draft stock by staying healthy for another full season. The only question with Zeller was if he could handle the grind of a full season and last year went a long way towards proving just that.
Final Projection:
Although he doesn’t have the greatest upside, he really has no clear downside. The lack of bust potential will put Tyler Zeller into the first round of the 2012 draft if scouts and teams are convinced his injury problems from his freshman and sophomores seasons are behind him.
5/31/12 Update by Dan Levine
The ACC player of the year in 2012 is going to be a lottery pick in next month’s draft. He’s a smart player with good hands and a great sense of where the basket is when he is backing down opponents. His numbers improved every year he was in school, and he is not a liability on the free throw line. His trajectory indicates that he will get even better as he begins his professional career.
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