Former Hoosiers set for NBA Draft

The moment is finally here for Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller.

After well-documented trips across the U.S. for workouts and meetings, Oladipo and Zeller will sit still June 27 in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., while they wait to hear announcements that will shape the rest of their lives.

Thursday night, the two former IU basketball players will likely hear their names called at some point in the first round of the NBA Draft, which starts at 7 p.m.

ESPN’s Chad Ford had Oladipo ranked as the No. 2-overall prospect on his big board and Zeller at No. 11 as of Wednesday night.

Ford projections would mean Oladipo going to the Orlando Magic and Zeller to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Should Oladipo go at No. 2, he would be the fourth Hoosier to go at that position, joining Archie Dees (1958), Scott May (1976) and Isiah Thomas (1981).

Former IU players Jared Jeffries (2002) and Bob Wilkerson (1976) were drafted in the No. 11 spot.

Other mock drafts have Oladipo going at No. 5 to Phoenix and Zeller at either No. 9 to Minnesota or No. 10 to Portland.

In an interview with Bloomberg Radio on Monday, Zeller talked about how anxious he is to finally figure out where his life is headed after leaving IU with two years of eligibility remaining.

“I don’t really have any choice, so I’m excited for Thursday just to figure out where I’m going, where I’ll be living and everything else,” Zeller told Bloomberg Radio. “So I’m definitely excited for it.”

IU has had multiple players drafted in the first round four times: 1976, 1981, 1993 and 2008. In 1976, the draft which included the seniors from the undefeated 1976 national championship team, three Hoosiers were drafted in the first round, with another in the third.

That year was also the only time IU has had two players drafted in the top 10.

The last time IU had two players drafted in the first round was 2008 when Eric Gordon and D.J. White were both drafted. That was also the last time IU had a player drafted from the program.

Overall, IU has had 20 players drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Former Hoosier Chrsitian Watford will also be awaiting his future Thursday night. He is projected by some outlets to go in the late second round of the draft.

Besides Gordon and White, Jeffries is the only other Hoosier currently in the NBA.

When Zeller is drafted, he will join his brothers, Luke and Tyler, in the NBA.

In his interview with Bloomberg Radio, Cody said it’s been nice to talk to his brothers about the process and how it all works.

He also said he’s excited to get back to playing with them, just as they did on the court at home in Washington, Ind.

“I would say I’m looking forward to playing against both of my brothers,” he said. “It will be interesting just because we’ve always played in the driveway or back at home, but it will be a lot different playing in an organized game with thousands of fans watching.”

Zeller told Bloomberg Radio that while he understands he doesn’t have a choice in who drafts him, he certainly has a preference in the team’s style of play.

“I’m athletic and fast for a big guy, which is uncommon,” he said. “So I think I would be best in a team that likes to get up and run, and score a lot of points on an offense. So I think I’ll be able to help the team in that aspect. And hopefully I get a team that plays that kind of basketball.”

For right now, Zeller just wants to find out where his life goes from here.

He’s ready for his moment.

“I think it will an adjustment just moving to a new city where I won’t know anyone, being 20 years old and on my own,” he said. “And I think after I get settled in and meet new people, that I don’t think it will be a huge adjustment for me, but I’m definitely excited to figure out where I’m going so I can find a place to live and start getting going with all this.”