Cody Zeller Biography
Cody “The Big Handsome” Zeller is a basketball player from Washington, Indiana who played for Indiana University. He played forward for the Hoosiers for two seasons from 2011-13. He was recruited by Tom Crean and entered the NBA draft after his sophomore year and was drafted in the first round, 4th overall in the 2013 draft to the Charlotte Bobcats.
- Name: Cody “The Big Handsome” Zeller
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- Nationality: USA
- Age: 32 years old
- Birthday: October 5th, 1992
- Hometown: Washington, Indiana
- High School: Washington High School
- Height: 7’0″ (213 cm)
- Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
- Seasons: 2 (2011-13)
- Jersey: #40
- Current Team: Portland Trail Blazers
- NBA Draft: 2013 / 1st Round, 4th Overall to Charlotte Bobcats
Social Media
- Twitter: @CodyZeller
- Instagram: codyzeller
Awards and Accolades
- 2014 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- 2013 Consensus Second-Team All-American
- 2013 First Team All-Big Ten
- 2012 Second Team All-Big Ten
- 2012 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- 2012 Big Ten All-Freshman team
- 2011 McDonald’s All-American
- 2011 Indiana Mr. Basketball
Cody Zeller Recruiting Profile
Cody Zeller was a 5-star power forward from Washington High School in Washington, Indiana. The 7’0″ power forward was ranked 10th overall in the class of 2011 and was the second best player to come from the state of Indiana behind Marquis Teague from Pike in Indianapolis who committed to Kentucky. Cody is the youngest of the trio of brothers that went to play basketball professionally. Brothers Tyler and Luke Zeller went to committed to play for Notre Dame and North Carolina respectively.
Cody entered high school in 2007 and averaged 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game for his team the Washington Hatchets who won the Class 3A IHSAA state championship. As a sophomore, he became more involved and increased his productivity to 15.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. As a junior, he progressed to 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while leading the Hatchets to another state championship. His senior season, Zeller averaged 24.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game and led to another state championship. To honor his play, he was awarded the 2011 Indiana Mr. Basketball award and became the third brother in the family to win the award.
In addition to his high school team, Zeller played AAU for Indiana Elite and led the USA 2011 squad to a Adidas Nations Championship in Chicago during summer of 2010. He was a 2011 McDonald’s All American player and scored 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists in the all-star game.
Cody Zeller committed to play for Indiana University on November 11, 2010 who’s current head coach was Tom Crean. He turned down offers to play for Butler and North Carolina who recruited Luke Zeller several years prior.
- 247 Composite Ranking: 5-Star (0.9953)
- Rivals: 5-Star (15th Overall, 5th PF)
- ESPN: 97 rating
Cody Zeller’s Seasons with the Hoosiers
27-9 (11-7 Big Ten)
🏅 NCAA Sweet Sixteen
29-7 (14-4 Big Ten)
🏅 NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Cody Zeller’s Indiana University Statistics
Season | GP | GS | MIN | AVG | FGM | FGA | PCT | 3PM | 3PA | PCT | FTM | FTA | PCT | OFF | DEF | TOT | AVG | PF | AST | AST/G | T/O | BLK | STL | PTS | AVG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-2012 | 36 | 36 | 1025 | 28.5 | 200 | 321 | 0.623 | 0 | 0 | NA | 163 | 216 | 0.755 | 87 | 149 | 236 | 6.6 | 97 | 45 | 1.3 | 60 | 42 | 49 | 563 | 15.6 |
2012-2013 | 36 | 36 | 1062 | 29.5 | 199 | 353 | 0.564 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 | 196 | 259 | 0.757 | 101 | 188 | 289 | 8.0 | 80 | 47 | 1.3 | 81 | 45 | 37 | 594 | 16.5 |
Total | 72 | 72 | 2087 | 29.0 | 399 | 674 | 0.592 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 | 359 | 475 | 0.756 | 188 | 337 | 525 | 7.3 | 177 | 92 | 1.3 | 141 | 87 | 86 | 1157 | 16.1 |
Cody Zeller’s Career at Indiana University
Cody Zeller committed to play for Tom Crean and the Hoosiers on November 11, 2010 while turning down offers to play for North Carolina and Butler. He had immense pressure placed on him immediately as many labeled him to be “the savior of Indiana basketball.” Crean lauded Zeller’s ability to be mentally focused and have mental toughness especially with the pressure of succeeding surrounded him.
Zeller had an immediate impact for the Hoosiers when he played his freshman season. He averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Hoosiers while shooting an impressive 62.3% from the field and 75.5% FTs. As a freshman, he was ranked fourth in the country in field goal percentage, led the conference and posted the second best percentage in Hoosier history. Zeller won Big Ten Freshman of the Week seven times and won the Freshman of the Year award for the conference. He won additional honors of being Second Team All-Big Ten and First Team Freshman All-American. He was a finalist for the Wayman Tisdale Award for freshman of the year, a John Wooden award and Oscar Robertson Trophy candidate as well.
Zeller had a big impact in leading a turnaround for the program at Indiana. The Hoosiers had a 15 game improvement in their record which was the biggest turnaround in that year. Indiana made the NCAA Tournament and was seeded as a 4-seed. Indiana defeated New Mexico State in the second round, VCU in the third and lost to eventual national champions Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen.
Zeller was projected to be a Top 10 pick in the 2012 NBA draft, but opted to return for his sophomore year alongside teammate Christian Watford.