Cody Zeller

Cody Allen Zeller, born on October 5, 1992, is an American master basketball player who currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA star’s journey has been an exciting one, from college games to becoming the fourth pick in the 2013 NBA draft for the then-Charlotte Bobcats. However, Cody’s family is no stranger to the NBA world, with his brothers, former NBA players Tyler and Luke, and uncle, previous NBA player Al Eberhard, all contributing to his passion for basketball.

In high school, Zeller swiftly rose to prominence in the Indiana Hoosiers, demonstrating his exceptional skills. As a freshman, he managed to average an impressive 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game, leading his team, the Washington Hatchets, on a victorious path to win a Class 3A IHSAA state championship. The athlete continued to display his talent, amping up his average to 15.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. Hitting his stride during his junior year, Zeller led the Hatchets to another Class 3A state championship, averaging 20.5 points and an astounding 11.4 rebounds per game. As a senior, his exceptional performance didn’t waver. Leading the Hatchets to a victorious third Class 3A IHSAA state championship, he averaged 24.6 points per game, 13.1 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists per game.

His performance on the court earned Zeller recognition and accolades. His name was added to the list of the esteemed Indiana Senior All-Stars, and he was given the honor of being named Indiana Mr. Basketball, the state’s highest honor for high school players. His elder brothers had also won this prestigious award. As the 26th Mr. Basketball from Indiana, Zeller gained entrance into the Indiana Hoosiers.

While in college, Zeller participated in the nationally recognized All Star game as a 2011 McDonald’s All American player. He managed to score 10 points, secure three rebounds, and execute three assists in the game, all while leading Indiana Elite in the Adidas Nations Championship in Chicago in summer of 2010. Talent scouts across the country took note: ESPN labelled Zeller as the 13th best overall recruit in 2011.

On November 12, 2010, Zeller made a monumental decision to play for Indiana University, rejecting offers from the University of North Carolina and Butler. At the time, Coach Tom Crean sang high praises for Zeller, labelling him as “the savior of Indiana basketball” due to his mental strength and determination. His excellent performance at Indiana marked him as “The Big Handsome.”

Zeller was then selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. Even after stepping into the big leagues, Zeller continued to impress. In his NBA debut with the Bobcats, he delivered his first career double-double. After several successful seasons and an injury-riddled season, he moved to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021. However, due to the CJ McCollum trade, Zeller was waived by the Trail Blazers in February 2022.

On September 25, 2022, he moved to the Utah Jazz, only to be waived again by October 15. In February 2023, Zeller landed with the Miami Heat. In a stunning turn of events, the eighth-seeded Heat rode a Cinderella playoff run to an Eastern Conference crown and a trip to the NBA Finals. Regrettably, the Denver Nuggets shut down their championship aspirations, defeating the Heat in five games.

Regardless, the end of the season gave way to another new chapter for Zeller. On July 6, 2023, Zeller signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he now plays.

His college performance had scouts admiring his “outstanding combination of mobility, scoring instincts, and aggressiveness.” Along with mental acuity and an unselfish playing style, Zeller’s colleagues commented on his high energy and ability to blend seamlessly into a team.

Despite growing up in a family of basketball stars and facing high expectations, Zeller has managed to stay grounded. He is a humble player with a solid work ethic, which has been noted repeatedly throughout his career, along with his dry wit and playful attitude.

Furthermore, in 2017, Zeller accomplished an important personal goal, graduating from the

If you’re wondering what Zeller does off the court, he happens to be married to Leanna Crawford, a Contemporary Christian recording artist. Together, they continue to support each other in their respective careers as they navigate their futures together.