The most surprising player from each NBA team this season

Charlotte Hornets: Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller made his NBA potential clear during his time at Indiana. Zeller, a fluid, mobile, nearly 7-footer, was one of the best bigs in the Big Ten during his two seasons. He got to the line at will and showed a versatile offensive game. Zeller was praised as a draft prospect and was thought to be one of the best in his class.  He was taken fourth overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2013 Draft.

Through his first three seasons, Zeller didn’t look much like the fourth overall selection. He became the Hornets starting center midway through his second season and has started a majority of games since. However, it was hard to say that Zeller was even an average player before this year. He did whatever he could to help his team win, but struggled against more athletic defenders and frequently didn’t stand out.

Though Roy Hibbert started a number of games this year, Cody Zeller has quietly become one of the Hornets better players. His new career-high averages of 10.9 points and 6.6 rebounds don’t jump off the page, but Zeller’s advanced stats do. He ranks amongst league leaders in true shooting percentage. A high IQ player, Zeller does the small things that help his team win. When he has been forced to miss time this year, Charlotte has struggled. As a result of his progression in year four, he’s become an answer at center for the Hornets.