The Orlando Magic’s lone rookie from the NBA Draft is a limber 19-year-old in Stephen Zimmerman of UNLV. He showed good signs at Summer League to his future
The Orlando Magic made waves on draft night by trading their first round pick, the 11th overall pick in the draft, along with Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova for Serge Ibaka. It brought the Magic an elite rim protector and promises to transform the Magic’s defense.
At least it will transform the team in a way a rookie would not. There was certainly a sense the Magic were not going to get much of a change from a rookie and the draft took on less of a focus this year than it had in the past years under Rob Hennigan.
The Magic though did bring in one rookie. With the 41st overall pick in the draft, Orlando added another long-limbed, athletic player with plenty of room to grow in UNLV’s Stephen Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was an intriguing prospect his freshman year, averaging 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. There were plenty of flashes of talent to have him as a solid first rounder for much of the year before his play fell off and some injury questions arose.
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said the team felt Zimmerman was the best player available at 41 when the Magic picked.
“We’re really intrigued by Stephen and his game and his personality,” Hennigan said. “He’s a real mobile center. He can run, rebound, shoot and pass. That’s a good start. He’s probably going to get a little stronger. He’s skilled. He plays hard and he compete. We’ll see what happens. We’re excited to have him in summer league and start working with him.”
There is plenty to be intrigued about. During Summer League, Zimmerman showed a refined set of post moves and some solid defensive instincts, even if he was a bit rushed and unable to finish. He certainly has some skill. Zimmerman averaged 9.0 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. It was clear there was something there.
Exactly what is not particularly clear. Nor was it clear against weaker competition in college. Zimmerman is still something of a bundle of potential with a clearer form as a backup center with some defensive ability and offense to burn. It was easy to see why the Magic had something they liked in him.
Next: The Good
The Good
Stephen Zimmerman certainly has a solid foundation of skills to build off of.
He has very good size and good length. He has the ability to rotate well on defense and put himself in good scoring positions when he gets on the block. Zimmerman definitely does not look like a 19 year old in that regard. He has an advanced set of post moves. He will have to get the speed of the game down.
Zimmerman was solid throughout Summer League in showing off his array of offensive moves and defensive instincts. It is all still very raw. But it is all there too.
The Magic seemed to come away from Summer League impressed with what they had in Zimmerman.
“I like the temperature he plays at,” assistant coach Chad Forcier said. “He’s got a great edge to him. He has a lot of confidence. He has got a little bit of nastiness in there that will be fun to come out as he gets more experience.”
That was certainly present. Zimmerman could have easily gotten outmuscled and pushed around even in Summer League by bigger centers and he held his own. He did not let mistakes or bad performances affect him. He got over his butterflies and performed better as he got more comfortable.
There are a lot of good tools there.
Offensively, he has a nice base of post moves and really good footwork. As he refines his game, he should be able to generate space to score open shots.
Defensively, he showed good instincts. He often could get to the right spot in help and challenge shots at the rim. His defensive length allowed him to recover well even when he was late to his spot.
That is promising for a player so young and with the chance still to grow.
Next: The Bad
The Bad
Stephen Zimmerman though is young. Very young. And it is clear. Physically and mentally.
Zimmerman is listed at only 234 pounds and it looked like he was rail thin during Summer League. He will easily get muscled around and pushed on the block. That is going to be something he spends a lot of time working on this season.
In all likelihood, Zimmerman is going to spend a lot of the season in the Magic’s weight room in Amway Center. Do not expect him to go to Erie very much. Orlando will keep an eye on him and his physical development.
Zimmerman though too has some skill development to work on too.
He should have the passing ability to work from the high post, but he will have to develop his jumper some from that area too. It is not going to be an automatic from him to make the plays from the high post and elbow area without being able to hit jumpers better. Especially as he gets pushed out.
Zimmerman has a lot of understanding and touch to develop too. He did a good job working his way into the post throughout the week at Summer League, but he struggled to finish. He shot only 41.7 percent from the floor.
Defensively, Zimmerman would get into the right spot, but would be a hair late. He has the length to recover. The confidence just needs to develop.
The instincts are all there. But he has to let the game slow down. That is normal for a 19 year old, but it also seems like he could have used some time in college to gain confidence and strength to let things slow down.
Next: Draft Sites Say
Draft Sites Say
Derek Bodner, DraftExpress
"Zimmerman spent a considerable amount of time in the post at UNLV, using over a quarter of his offensive possessions there, according to Synergy Sports Technology. Zimmerman was not ideally suited in his role as a post scorer at the collegiate level, and certainly would be in the NBA if asked to do so, at least unless he improves significantly, both in terms of his physical profile and also his skill set. Zimmerman’s post offense was primarily based off of a jump hook with his dominant left hand or a turnaround jump shot, although he did flash some more advanced moves as the season went along. He shows some touch with his hook, but could get bullied physically at times down low, with a high center of gravity and poor lower body strength, and can easily have the rhythm disrupted on his post moves because of that. He also suffers from a complete lack of confidence in his right hand, which can make him predictable at times down low."
NBADraft.net
"Possesses a very solid skill set and high basketball IQ that will allow him to eventually be impactful in the NBA … True 7-footer with 7’3” wingspan that can put it on the floor, block shots, and willing passer that looks to make plays for others … Has great touch around the basket with a decent hook shot with his left hand. Needs to improve his post play for the next level on both ends … Given his size, needs to learn how to use his body better and improve his ability to create in the post … Decent leaper off two feet although can appear to be less explosive when having to explode from a standstill position near the rim."
J.Z. Mazlish, Upside & Motor
"Standing at over 6-10 with an over 7-3 wingspan Zimmerman has prototypical center size and length. He’s got fairly wide shoulders that suggest he could fill out his frame in time, but his current weight of 235 pounds and a relatively undefined body hurts his ability to bang inside."
Next: Final Word
Final Word
Stephen Zimmerman is a really intriguing prospect. It is clear from looking at his length and athleticism he could find a future as a backup center in the NBA. His solid offensive and defensive instincts make him a quality prospect.
But like most young players, Zimmerman still has a lot of growing to do. Both mentally and physically.
For a center, even in today’s wide-open NBA, that physical aspect will remain something to watch. with Zimmerman. He has to put on some weight quickly.
Zimmerman though showed at Summer League though he is eager and willing to learn. And can quickly adapt and find his way.
“I’m just thinking about playing basketball,” Zimmerman said. “If I play basketball and play my hardest, everything will work out.”
The most positive sign from Zimmerman throughout Summer League was that he seemed to get better and learn from mistakes throughout the week. He shook off nerves early and settled in and played well.
Next: D.J. Augustin hopes to provide Orlando Magic security
He did not stand out and did some good things, but was still very incomplete. He has a long way to go and a long way to grow as a player. But Zimmerman showed enough to keep intrigue and get some interest.