[CAROLINA BLUE NICKParticipant]

After a somewhat dissapointing season from a guy that a lot of people pegged the possible number one pick in the 2013 NBA, does anybody see Cody Zeller returning for his junior season? Heck could he be another four year player like his brothers? Zeller didn’t do well against other top tier big man. He lacked toughness and didn’t take over games the way people expected him to. Syracuse defense exposed Zeller and showed he may not be NBA ready just yet. It isn’t like this guy is pressed for money. Plus he loves the college atmosphere and Indiana will re up come next year with recruits like Noah Vonleh who is a considered a lottery pick next year. On a scale of 1-10 with one being the lowest possibility and 10 being the highest, what do you guys think of Zellers chances of returning?

[TyroberParticipant]

I just have a hard time thinking any lottery pick should go back to school. I know he isn’t being considered for the top pick anymore, but he is still a top 10 pick and 100% going to go in the lottery. I can’t put a number on it since I couldn’t begin to tell you which way he is leaning, but I would definitely enter the draft if I were him.

[halfdecayedParticipant]

I think he should return, he couldnt dominate any big man in the tourney, imagine agaisnt NBA player with developped body.. I think another year would benefit him.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

The thing is does Zeller make his draft stock rise if he returns? Will the Hoosiers be even better next year?

All that must go in account with his decision process. I would love to see him stay and get his degree, but it does not look like he will get back in the Top 5 with the 2014 class.

On a scale of 1-10 with one being the lowest possibility and 10 being the highest, what do you guys think of Zellers chances of returning?

I say 6

[Evan_MilbergParticipant]

Zeller’s game would absolutely benefit from another year in college. He needs to become a better rebounder, among other things. However, his stock will never been higher than it is now. Right now he’s top 10 in a weak draft. I could easily see him sliding out of the lottery a la Sullinger if he stays another year.

[phila9012Participant]

this is as high as he will go, so you go. He will develop in the NBA going against better players every practice and game. So it is pointless to risk it by staying another year.

[raybeasParticipant]

He’s not scheduled to graduate untill after the first semester next year, so I think he’ll be back. Oladipo is going now because he graduates in May.
Zeller will not improve his draft stock by staying, but he could improve his readiness to play right away. He would be in the 5-10 range this year, and probably fall to the late lottery next year.Not a huge difference in salaries between those ranges, and the second (or third) contract is where most players make their $$$ anyway.
Not having his announcement the same day as Vic is also a sign pointing to his returning.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

There’s a 0% chance Cody Zeller returns back to school. He’s a guaranteed lottery pick.

He’s having a press conference tomorrow. Who has an actual press conference to announce they’re staying at school?

[Mad MaxParticipant]

Matt Barkley did.

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

He’s in a tricky spot. On one hand, Noah Vonleh is gonna take up valuable PT if he comes back. On the other, he could definitely benefit from learning another year. But I think the benefits of coming out (lotto pick, the $$$) outweigh the negatives. I give him a 3 out of 10 chance he stays.

[M-EazyParticipant]

Vonleh and Zeller would start together.

[M-EazyParticipant]

He would benefit from another year of college, but with that said his wingspan won’t improve and I think that plays a huge role in his struggle against other big men. 2014 is too stacked to come back tho. Go now or end up a late round pick.

[SnowtaParticipant]

I don’t think Vonleh would take PT from Zeller. I think they would start as the 4 and 5, especially with IU losing Watford. For me the most frustrating thing about Zeller is how he always tries to get so low when he gets the ball in the post as if he’s trying to use his speed to get around the defender. If he developed a better hook or some other moves that actually used his height to his advantage I think his post game would be way better. He would definitely be more NBA ready if he stayed another year to add strength and improve his rebounding. With that being said though I think the chance he returns is slim to none.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

staying. I disagree that players get better often staying. In college they play out of positions sometimes or not to their strengths. He needs to go and see what he needs to add to his game. He wont see that in college getting double teamed in a congested paint.

[chall23Participant]

the only thing is next years draft is going to be loaded….. so i doubt his stock would rise too much

[HitsterParticipant]

The thing he needs to consider is whether he will be better served for his NBA career by returning for his junior and maybe even his senior or to declare this year. Forget about draft stock, who else may declare etc, it is about his NBA career, it is better to be more NBA ready and drafted lower than be drafted higher and maybe never really crack rotation.

Look at Roy Hibbert and Joakim Noah who both returned and were drafted lower but were maybe more NBA ready when they were drafted.

As regards Cody, I’d edge towards declaring as I don’t see him falling much if anything outside the top 10 to 12 at worse with an upside of maybe top 6.

[samosasParticipant]

no way he comes back. should be come back and get exposed for another two years or college? get out while the getting is good. don’t make the mistake Kyle Singler did (who was lucky he finally got into the NBA)

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Disagree Hitster. Hibbert needed to learn the game and mainly lose weight. Zeller does not have that problem.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

He’s a top 5 to 10 pick this year. His draft stock won’t get any better.

He should take the money and sign up for summer school.

[IknoBall12Participant]

Next years draft is going to be loaded but its not going to be loaded with Centers. I mean the only other center that may go before him next year is Willie Cauley stein. We all know how the NBA has a thing for big men I wouldn’t doubt that Cody could go top 10 next year

[chrsw003Participant]

Zeller doesn’t look like he is a 7 footer to me…

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