Cody Zeller

In Zeller's first year as a Hoosier during the 2011–12 season he led the team with 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 62.3 percent (200-of-321) from the field and 75.5 percent (163-of-216) from the free-throw line.[11] He ranked fourth in the country in field goal percentage, led the Big Ten Conference and posted the second-highest percentage in school history.[15] His offensive rating of 126.8 ranked him 14th nationwide. Zeller was the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year, as voted on by the coaches, after earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week seven times.[16] He was also Second Team All-Big Ten and a First Team Freshman All-American. He was a finalist for the Wayman Tisdale Award (USBWA National Freshman of the Year) and was a candidate for the John Wooden Award and Oscar Robertson Trophy.[15]

With the addition of Zeller to the team, the Hoosiers' record in 2011–12 improved by fifteen games over the prior season, making it the largest single turnaround in the NCAA that year. The Hoosiers earned a number four seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament and defeated New Mexico State in the second round. After defeating VCU in the third round, the Hoosiers lost in the Sweet Sixteen to Kentucky, the eventual national champions.

Although projected to be a top ten pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Zeller decided to return for his sophomore season at Indiana, along with teammate Christian Watford. In a statement issued by the Indiana Athletic Department, he said, "I grew up hoping that one day I would get the opportunity to play in the NBA, but at this point, I'm not ready for my college experience to be over...My college experience at IU this year has exceeded my expectations, on and off the court. I look forward to playing at Assembly Hall next year in front of the greatest fans in the country."[15]

Due in part to Zeller's leadership, the Indiana Hoosiers finished the 2012–13 season as the outright Big Ten champions. He finished the regular season as the conference's third-highest scorer (16.8 points) and second highest rebounder (8.2), along with second in the league in shooting at 57% while only trailing teammate Victor Oladipo in the Big Ten.[17]

Zeller accumulated numerous post-season awards. He was named a 2013 All-American by the USBWA (2nd Team) and Sporting News (3rd Team). He was also named First Team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media, as well as a First Team Academic All-American.

At the end of his sophomore season, Zeller decided to enter the 2013 NBA draft,[18] along with teammate Victor Oladipo.

Zeller with the Hornets in December 2016

Zeller was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats.[19] On March 31, 2014, he scored a season-high 15 points against the Washington Wizards.[20] On April 5, 2014, he recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[20] He appeared in all 82 regular season games and all four of Charlotte's playoff games.[20] At the season's end, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[21][22]

On November 28, 2014, Zeller recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors.[23] On January 31, 2015, he scored a season-high 21 points in a 104–86 win over the Denver Nuggets.[23][24]

On February 19, 2016, Zeller scored a career-high 23 points in a 98–95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[25] He had five double-doubles during the season.[26]

Despite missing the entire preseason because of a right knee injury, Zeller played in the Hornets' season opener on October 26, 2016, going 5 of 6 from the field for 15 points in 14 minutes in a 107–96 win over the Bucks.[27] Five days later, he signed a four-year, $56 million contract extension with the Hornets.[28][29] On November 18, 2016, he tied his career high with 23 points in a 100–96 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[30] He averaged career highs in 2016–17 with 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.[31]

Zeller played in the Hornets' season opener then missed the next four games.[32] On December 6, 2017, in a 101–87 loss to the Warriors, Zeller suffered a torn medial meniscus in his left knee with 49 seconds left in the third quarter.[33][34] He missed 27 games as a result,[32] returning to action on February 2 against the Indiana Pacers.[35] He missed games on February 28 and March 2 with a sore left knee.[32][36] He later missed the final 16 games of the season with knee soreness.[32][37] Due to injury, he appeared in a career-low 33 games in 2017–18.[31]

On November 28, 2018, Zeller scored a then season-high 19 points in a 108–94 win over the Hawks.[38] On December 14, in a 126–124 overtime loss to the New York Knicks, Zeller had season highs in points (21) and rebounds (13) to record the first 20-point, 10-rebound game of his career and tally his first double-double of the season. It also marked his third-straight double-digit scoring performance.[39] On December 31, Zeller suffered a broken right hand against the Orlando Magic.[40] He was subsequently ruled out for four to six weeks after undergoing surgery.[41] He returned to action on February 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing 16 games.[42] On February 25, he made 13 of 14 shots from the field and finished with a career-high 28 points in a 121–110 loss to the Warriors.[43]