Charlotte Hornets: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

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CHARLOTTE, NC – JUNE 28: (L-R) Rich Cho, Cody Zeller and Rod Higgins of the Charlotte Bobcats pose for a photo during a press conference introducing Cody Zeller to the media at the Time Warner Cable Arena on June 28, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Cody Zeller was selected with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the then-Bobcats. Only Anthony Bennett, Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter were picked ahead of him. He has spent the first five years of his career with Charlotte.

During his first five seasons in the Queen City, Zeller has averaged 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.5 minutes per game. He’s played in 312 games for Charlotte and made 166 starts. His best season came in 2015-16 which was his fourth year in the league where the big man put up 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Cody was named to the 2013-14 All-Rookie Second Team. He was a McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school and on the 2012-13 NCAA All-American Second Team while at Indiana University. Zeller ranks ninth all-time in offensive rebounds for Charlotte and ninth in blocks.

At only 25 years old, “The Big Handsome” has a long career ahead of him and he could one day end up being one of the Hornets’ best rebounders ever. Although he will never be a star player, Zeller has molded himself into a versatile role player for Charlotte. It will be interesting to see how long he stays with the team.