UNLV forward Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (33) cruises toward the hoop for a score past an Air Force player Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Published Sunday, March 27, 2016 | 3:03 p.m.
Updated Monday, March 28, 2016 | 9:24 a.m.
This news is not surprising.
Las Vegan Stephen Zimmerman Jr. was only expected to stay at UNLV for one basketball season before heading to the NBA. Projected as a first-round selection in the June draft, the 7-footer tweeted out his decision Monday morning. Yahoo Sports’ The Vertical reported on Sunday that he's expected to sign with an agent.
Zimmerman battled injuries for part of his lone UNLV season to average 10.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Most draft projections have him as a mid-to-late round first-round pick, meaning he’d receive a guaranteed, multi-year contract.
Zimmerman was a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American out of Bishop Gorman, passing on scholarship offers from college heavyweights to stay — and develop — at UNLV. While the Rebels missed the NCAA Tournament and battled through a year of conflict, Zimmerman didn’t hurt his stock. It’s tough, after all, to find skilled big men at the next level.
"NBA executives told The Vertical that Zimmerman — mobile, skilled and a good shot-blocker — has the potential to move into the top half of the draft with some strong performances in pre-draft workouts,” the Yahoo story says.
For the original Yahoo story, click here.
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