HoopsHype.com Rumors

Gery Woelfel: Zeller's Bucks workout is actually Thursday. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Draft, Tyler Zeller, Workouts 

Most of the top prospects did not participate in drills at the NBA combine, but Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said the team was able to get some much-needed information during their meet-and-greet sessions with the players. They met with Robinson, Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist, North Carolina players Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Tyler Zeller and Kendall Marshall, Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb from Connecticut, Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, Washington guard Terence Ross, Duke guard Austin Rivers, Mississippi State forward Arnett Moultrie, Illinois center Meyers Leonard and Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins, among others. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Draft, Ernie Grunfeld, Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Austin Rivers, John Jenkins, Jeremy Lamb, Tyler Zeller, Andre Drummond, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie, Kendall Marshall 

The prospects who have had their names connected to the Sixers include forwards Perry Jones of Baylor, John Henson of North Carolina, and Arnett Moultrie of Mississippi State. But it is possible that they could use the pick on Illinois center Meyers Leonard, Syracuse's Fab Melo or North Carolina's Tyler Zeller. Sun Herald

Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, John Henson, Perry Jones, Tyler Zeller, Fab Melo, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie 

Missouri shooting guard Marcus Denmon worked out with the Pistons while team officials interviewed North Carolina big men John Henson and Tyler Zeller and Ohio State center Jared Sullinger . The 6-foot-3 Denmon is a second-round prospect who averaged 17.7 points and five rebounds last season. He said he felt his meeting with Detroit went well. "I got good feedback," he said. It would be out of my place to speak on it, but I can say I had a really good workout." Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Draft, John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller 

Jason Jones: UNC center Tyler Zeller said he would be in Sacramento to workout next week. Not sure which day but he thinks Tuesday. Twitter

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Tyler Zeller 

Sean Deveney: There were no 7-footers at '11 NBA draft combine. This year there are 3: Tyler Zeller (7-0.5), Fab Melo (7-0) and Meyers Leonard (7-1.25). Twitter

Draft, Tyler Zeller, Fab Melo, Meyers Leonard 

Bobcats management has said it’s open to all sorts of trade scenarios and the team’s actions here confirm that – the Bobcats interviewed North Carolina 7-footer Tyler Zeller, who doesn’t figure to go before about the 10th pick. Seemingly you do that just in case of a trade down. Lottery teams that might be looking to move around: Cleveland, Portland, Toronto and Golden State. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Tyler Zeller 

Other players who had interviews with the Bucks on Thursday included Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers; and North Carolina senior center Tyler Zeller. Zeller said he knows the Bucks have a need for a big man after losing 7-foot center Andrew Bogut in a March trade with Golden State. "Anytime there's a great opportunity to come in and play immediately, you want to capitalize on it," Zeller said. "No matter where you go, you've got to make the best of it." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Draft, Austin Rivers, Tyler Zeller 

It sounds as if the Kings like -- to varying degrees -- Barnes, North Carolina big men Tyler Zeller or John Henson, or even Kentucky forward Terrence Jones more than risky prospects such as Connecticut center Andre Drummond or Baylor forward Perry Jones III. SI.com

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Harrison Barnes, Terrence Jones, John Henson, Perry Jones, Tyler Zeller, Andre Drummond 

The New Orleans Hornets are working out prospects at the Alario Center today, the first of two sessions they're conducting. The guys working out this morning are: Tyler Zeller, a 7-foot center from North Carolina, John Henson a 6-11 power forward from North Carolina, Meyers Leonard a 7-1 center from Illinois, Arnett Mouldrie a 6-11 power forward/center from Mississippi State and Terrence Jones a 6-9 power forward from Kentucky. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Terrence Jones, John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Mouldrie, Workouts 

On top of possessing the size of a true NBA center, Zeller runs the floor, blocks shots and finishes near the rim with the best of them. He’s athletic enough, strong enough, and experienced enough. In fact, Zeller may be the lone senior selected among the top 15 or even 20 picks. “One thing I really like about him is he improved from his junior to senior seasons,” said one scout. “It makes you think he’s willing to put in the work and that he hasn’t yet hit his ceiling.” FOXSportsOhio

Draft, Tyler Zeller 

Instead, Zeller is more likely to be draft somewhere in the 12-15 range. With all the high praise, it’s easy to wonder why. “Well, for one, this is a pretty deep draft with a lot of players who have high expectations,” said a Western Conference GM. “Also, I don’t think anyone really expects (Zeller) to change the course of your franchise. Most expect him to be a unique and talented center that could play an important role, though.” FOXSportsOhio

Draft, Tyler Zeller 

There was a local longshot, some small school standouts and a Canadian from the Big 10. But, most important, there were two towering center prospects roaming the Trail Blazers’ practice court Tuesday morning, when the team hosted its first predraft workout of 2012. The six-player workout lasted roughly two hours and featured a series of basketball and agility tests and some three-on-three play. And highly touted center prospects Tyler Zeller of North Carolina and Meyers Leonard of Illinois made their case to be the Blazers’ first-round draft pick. The two players bring different styles and skill-sets to the position. Zeller, who is projected in at least one mock draft to be selected by the Blazers in the lottery, is the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year whose running ability and soft hands could make him a solid offensive-minded NBA center. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard 

The Trail Blazers are starting big. Literally. The team will hold its first predraft workout Tuesday in preparation for next month’s NBA draft and two of the six visitors will be highly touted 7-foot center prospects: North Carolina’s Tyler Zeller and Illinois’ Meyers Leonard. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard 

Tuesday’s predraft workout will feature: Tyler Zeller, center, North Carolina; Meyers Leonard, center, Illinois; Garrett Sim, guard, Oregon; Casper Ware, guard, Long Beach State; Kent Bazemore, guard/forward, Old Dominion; Kris Joseph, forward, Syracuse. Oregonian

Draft, Kris Joseph, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Garrett Sim, Casper Ware, Kent Bazemore 

The only center prospect that most personnel types would feel safe taking high in the lottery is North Carolina's Tyler Zeller, expected to be a solid if unspectacular big man. The question about Zeller -- as it is with many Tar Heels -- is whether he hit his ceiling as a player in college, and won't improve much more in the pros. But Zeller will shake hands with the Commish early. NBA.com

Draft, Tyler Zeller 

Joe Freeman: The #Blazers 6-player workout will include: Tyler Zeller, C, UNC; Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois; Garrett Sim, G, Oregon ... (cont). Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Garrett Sim 

Tyler Zeller, North Carolina, senior center (7-foot, 250): As Tar Heels legend Larry Brown would put it, Zeller plays the right way. The ACC Player of the Year is far closer to solid than he is spectacular, but the well-rounded offensive game, smarts and consistency could make him a lottery pick. Zeller improved every year, averaging 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a senior. "He's not going to be an All-Star by any stretch," a front-office source said, "but you'll be satisfied." SI.com

Draft, Tyler Zeller 

It seems as though the front runner to represent both Rivers and Zeller is Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management. Schwartz likely has a good relationship with Doc Rivers based on Schwartz's representation of Paul Pierce (a member of Doc's Celtics team), but more importantly, Austin Rivers' brother, Jeramiah Rivers is an Excel Sports Management client. Not only is Austin Rivers' brother an Excel client, but so is Tyler Zeller's elder brother, Luke. Both brothers have played overseas, and Excel's commission on the contracts is likely nothing to scoff at. However, it would be naive to think that Schwartz was not at least thinking about the prospect of signing Austin Rivers and Tyler Zeller when his company signed their older brothers. Jeremiah Rivers is currently playing for KK Mega Vizura in Serbia. Luke Zeller is currently playing for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan. businessinsider.com

Draft, Jeff Schwartz, Austin Rivers, Tyler Zeller 

10. Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin - Smart point guard led the country in assist-turnover ratio, but I can’t get his awful NCAA tournament out of my mind: 8-for-35, and he was terrible in a loss to eventual runner-up Butler (four turnovers, five missed free throws). 9. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina – I maintain that if Harrison Barnes hadn’t been 3-point trigger-happy (2-for-9) in the Final 8 last year, Zeller (9-of-12, 21 points) would have beaten Kentucky. Zeller needs 15-20 shots per game. 8. Anthony Davis, Kentucky - John Calipari coached Marcus Camby about 15 years ago. Camby took UMass to the Final 4 and was the National Player of the Year. Calipari said Davis is a little ahead of where Camby was as a freshman. 7. Austin Rivers, Duke – Enamored with his game, insanely curious whether or not the likely 1-and-done star guard will fit into Coach K’s system. 6. Perry Jones, Baylor – He’ll lead Baylor to the Big 12 title. Note: I thought Kansas State would usurp Kansas last year. Didn’t happen. The Big Lead

Draft, John Calipari, Perry Jones, Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Taylor