Three Under-The-Radar Players To Watch For Next Season: Rookie Edition

Tyler Zeller, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyler Zeller
Photo Credit: Getty Images

Zeller is a good example of what an unheralded player has to go through. A perennial double-double threat for the last two years of his college career, Zeller provides teams with a set of skills that makes him a steal at #17 overall. I’ve never been a fan of how the label “good motor” has been thrown around among analysts. Admittedly, in this case, it fits. Zeller is a legitimate 7-footer, with a measured reach of about 8’8″. Here’s the kicker: he runs the floor like a gazelle. Well, ok not like a gazelle. But, the guy’s a runner. He covers the court quickly, providing a regular medium for fellow tarheel Kendall Marshall.

Defensively speaking, Zeller’s hustle is indispensable. With teams like Florida State, Duke, and Miami, the ACC is a conference that boasted solid bigs. Whether it was Reggie Johnson, one of the Plumlees, or Bernard James, a lot was asked of Zeller on the defensive end. averaging a steal per game, along with 1.5 bpg, the 7-footer showed good, fundamental defense. He’s a guy whose athleticism doesn’t necessarily jump out at you. But, Zeller’s tenacity on defense, his good hands, and hustle make him (in my opinion) a great pickup for the Cavs. I mean, c’mon, if I was 7 feet tall, there’s no way you catch me running like this:

Evan Fournier,  G, Denver Nuggets

Much like Zeller, here’s another guy who doesn’t posses any eye-catching athleticism. Fournier is also a player whose value lays beyond that. Selected by the Denver Nuggets at #20, Fournier presents a chance for an interesting rookie campaign.

First and foremost, Fournier’s build and court movement remind me of Greivis Vasques (G, New Orleans Hornets). Yes, Fournier is a bit taller and  isn’t quite as fastt. But, he’s also only 19 years old. The Freshman Frenchman boats a 6’7″ frame, a measured reach of 8’7″, and weighs in at 206 lbs. Like  Vasquez, Fournier doesn’t blow you away with leaping or end-to-end sprinting ability. What he does well, though, might be the only way he finds decent court time. George Karl isn’t one to play rookies very much, the “Manimal” being an exception. But he is a guy who will give smart ball players a chance. Fournier presents the sort of calm demeanor that competes in subtlety only with his grasp of the fundamentals. He also pretty good footwork, a requirement at his position and height. He doesn’t do very much in the department of risk-taking, which should serve him well. Another asset for the young man is that he has a very good shooting touch from all ranges. Due to his lack of any real quick first step, the threat of his shot makes him a viable concern for defenses.

As with most rookies, there’s a risk. Fournier has shown his great qualities against what most would consider sub-par defenses in France. Aside from 2 or 3 teams, France’s top division doesn’t present much in the way of man defense, especially for a skilled guard like Fournier.

Pair the kid up with Kenneth Faried, an on-the-rise Javale McGee, Wilson Chandler and the like, and you’re looking at a possible top 3 guy in rookie assists.

Here’s a mix of the kid ballin’ in France:

Arnett Moultrie, F, Miami Heat

Arnett Moultrie
Photo Credit: AP

Arnett Moultrie dropped into the laps of the Heat in the form of a #27 overall pick. Shortly after, Miami traded him to the Sixers for a 2nd round pick and a future 1st rounder. At 6’11”, Arnett Moultrie is one of the most mobile and athletic players in the entire draft class. He’s a pest on the defensive end, getting his hands moving at all times. Moultrie’s a quick jumper as well, with great reflexes on both ends of the floor. That kind of ability served his team well in a conference that wasn’t exactly lacking in athletic finishers. Moultrie’s impressive footwork for his size will help him do more than stop drives at the rim. He’s a solid man-on-man defender, keeping guys in front of him while fouling only twice per game last year in college.

At Mississippi State, Moultrie had to play in a system that had Renardo Sidney camped in the paint, often limiting his athletic value. Moultrie still found ways to make an impact, sporting a healthy 16.4 ppg and 10.5 rpg. With a presence like Sidney in the post, Moultrie showed a particular aptitude for passing and getting to his spots. Because of that,  the expectation here is that he’ll catch on quickly with the Sixers’ style of play. Moultrie is also the kind of player that Doug Collins can use: young, talented, and willing to listen.

Add on to Moultrie’s size and athleticism an ever-improving stroke from mid range and beyond, and you have a player that packs an Amare Stoudemire-like skill set. In fact, with a little bit of coaching, you might be looking at a player that matches Amare tit for tat on offense and even betters him on defense (The defense part, probably not as impressive).

Check out Swish Scouts’ breakdown of the Sixers’ newest youngin’: