Two Former Indiana Hoosiers Make NBA All-Rookie Team
By Evan Reller
Jan 7, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo (4) dribbles the ball up court in front of forward Cody Zeller (40) and Penn State Nittany Lions forward Sasa Borovnjak (21) during the second half at the Bryce Jordan Center. Indiana defeated Penn State 74-51. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Indiana Hoosiers should be proud of their recent accomplishments, at least those off the Assembly Hall court. Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller were both named to the NBA All-Rookie Team on Thursday.
Oladipo was named to the first team, while Zeller made the second team. Oladipo received 124 first place votes, second only to Michael Carter-Williams, the Rookie of the Year.
Oladipo started 44 games this past season for the Orlando Magic. He averaged nearly 14 points per game to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Defensively, Oladipo had 1.6 steals per night.
Zeller only started in three games and averaged 17 minutes for the Charlotte Bobcats. He had six points, four rebounds, and an assist per game. Zeller, never truly known for his blocking skills, averaged just 0.5 per game and nearly the same in steals.
Both players were taken in the top five in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Zeller helped take the Bobcats reach the playoffs, where they were promptly swept by the Miami Heat. The Magic on the other hand have the fourth pick in this years draft.
Both Zeller and Oladipo returned to Bloomington after the season ended to talk about their first years in the NBA. Video courtesy of IU Athletic Department.
With the addition of Mason Plumlee to the first team, that makes two player who are from Indiana. Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr., who both made the first team, marks four players from the Big Ten to make the All-Rookie teams.
There is a good chance that the Hoosiers will see another player taken early in the Draft this year with Noah Vonleh headed to the pros. Oladipo was selected second last year, and Zeller fourth.
Vonleh’s stock has been on the rise recently and some analysts have him going as high as fourth in the draft. That would put him on the Magic with Oladipo, which would turn into a nasty combination in the future.
Both Zeller and Oladipo appear to be well on their way towards bright futures in the NBA.