Joshua Davey
January 10, 2023
Stephen Zimmerman
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 9/9/96
- Place of Birth: Hendersonville, Tennessee (USA)
- Position: CTR
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 109
- Junior Assoc:
- College: UNLV (2015–2016)
- NBL DEBUT: 5/12/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 13/03/22
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 25
- NBL History: Cairns 2022
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Standing at 7’0” with a 7’3” wingspan, Gerald Zimmerman was born in Hendersonville, Tennessee (USA) and attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he led the Gaels to four straight state championships, becoming the only player in Nevada history to accomplish the feat at the large-school level.
His 114 career wins also made him the winningest player in school history. As a senior in 2014/15, Zimmerman averaged 14.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. He subsequently earned selection to the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Stephen Zimmerman made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 25 years of age. He scored 14 points in his first game.
After finishing ninth with an 8-28 record and missing the playoffs, Cairns replaced Mike Kelly with former Sydney coach Adam Forde and lost leading scorer Cameron Oliver (to the NBA), Fabijan Krslovic (to Tasmania) and Mojave King (to Adelaide). Forde retained captain Scott Machado, Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Nathan Jawai, Mirko Djeric, Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai, while adding Tahjere McCall (via Orléans), Keanu Pinder (via Adelaide), rookie Bul Kuol (via Detroit Mercy) and Stephen Zimmerman (via Nymburk).
The former NBA draft pick signed a one-year deal as Cairns’ third import and final roster addition after helping Nymburk win the Czech championship. Forde said, “He’s a proven defender, and I think he will address any issues we have on the defensive end while also being efficient on offence.”
Cairns opened the season at RAC Arena on December 5, where Zimmerman (14 points, 14 rebounds, and 1 assist), Noi (17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) and McCall (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led the Taipans, while Cotton (31 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) guided Perth to a 90-67 win.
Zimmerman (11.4 points and 9.6 rebounds across 16 games) started every game he played, led Cairns in rebounding and produced five double-doubles. His best scoring game came at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 20, where Zimmerman (21 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals), Deng (12 points and 4 rebounds) and McCall (8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) helped Cairns build a 15-point lead before Adelaide recovered to win 82-71 behind Johnson (18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks).
Zimmerman’s best game of the season came at Qudos Bank Arena on March 6, where Zimmerman (16 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists), Machado (26 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Deng (14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Cairns, while Cooks (23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks) helped Sydney win 98-88.
Zimmerman played twice more before pain and swelling in his right knee ruled him out of Cairns’ road games against Adelaide and Brisbane from March 18. He was initially expected to return the following round, but the knee failed to respond to treatment and he missed the final 12 games of the season. Marshall Nelson (via Perth) had been added as an injury replacement for Machado in December and was released in March, while training player Ben Ayre was elevated to the active roster in April as Cairns continued to manage injuries and failed to field its full-strength roster during the season.
McCall (16.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2 steals across 22 games) led Cairns in scoring, assists and steals and shared the club MVP award with Machado (10.2 points and 5.3 assists across 18 games), who missed more than six weeks with a heel injury. Deng (14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) played every game and finished second on the team in scoring, while Pinder (10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across 28 games) doubled his production from the previous season and was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player. Kuol (10.4 points across 28 games) made an Australian rookie-record 64 three-pointers and was named Rookie of the Year, while Noi (8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 16 games), Ayre (6.6 points and 3.8 assists across 8 games) and Jawai (5.9 points across 19 games) were the other main contributors.
Zimmerman remained sidelined as Cairns ended its season at the Cairns Convention Centre on April 23, where McCall (42 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block), Deng (30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Pinder (17 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Taipans to a 112-98 win over Brisbane, while Franks (30 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets. The victory produced the highest team score of NBL22, completed Cairns’ first 4-0 Sunshine Stoush sweep and saw the Taipans finish ninth with a 9-19 record.
Stephen Zimmerman played one season in the NBL. He averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 16 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 25 | Cairns | 9-19 (9) | 16 | 428.6 | 182 | 154 | 29 | 62 | 92 | 11 | 13 | 33 | 38 | 79 | 150 | 53% | 1 | 8 | 13% | 78 | 142 | 55% | 42% | 53% | 21 | Totals | 16 | 429 | 182 | 154 | 29 | 62 | 92 | 11 | 13 | 33 | 38 | 79 | 150 | 52.7% | 1 | 8 | 12.5% | 78 | 142 | 54.9% | 43% | 53% | 21 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 25 | Cairns | 9-19 (9) | 16 | 26.8 | 11.4 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 9.4 | 53% | 0.1 | 0.5 | 13% | 4.9 | 8.9 | 55% | 42% | 53% | 21 | Total | 16 | 26.8 | 11.4 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 9.4 | 52.7% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12.5% | 0.1 | 0.5 | 54.9% | 43% | 53% | 21 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 21 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Stephen Zimmerman was drafted by the Orlando Magic with pick #41 in the 2016 NBA Draft.
In 2016, Zimmerman was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 41st overall pick in the second round. As a rookie, he played 19 games with the Magic, as well as suiting up for their G League affiliate multiple times.
Zimmerman went on to sign with the LA Lakers, before being acquired by the South Bay Lakers as an affiliate player and playing alongside Taipans guard Scott Machado for one season.
Zimmerman played 19 games in the NBA. He averaged 1.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 23, 2016: Drafted by the Orlando Magic in the 2nd round (41st pick) of the 2016 NBA Draft.
- July 7, 2016: Signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic.
-
July 4, 2017: Waived by the Orlando Magic.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 72% | 74% | 68% | 90% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Total | 79 | 150 | 52.7% | 1 | 8 | 12.5% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 20 | Orlando | C | 19 | 0 | 108 | 23 | 35 | 4 | 11 | 24 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 31 | 32% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 5 | 60% | 35% | 32% | Total | 19 | 0 | 108 | 23 | 35 | 4 | 11 | 24 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 31 | 32% | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 60% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 20 | Orlando | C | 19 | 0 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 32% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 60% | 35% | 32% | Total | 19 | 0 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 32% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 60% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Germany - Telekom Baskets Bonn (2019–2020) | Poland - Polski Cukier Toruń (2020) | Czech Republic - Nymburk (2020–2021) | Japan - Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka (2023), Bambitious Nara (2024–2025) | Puerto Rico - Capitanes de Arecibo (2023) | Taiwan - Taipei Fubon Braves (2023–2024) | Malaysia - NS Matrix Deers (2024) | China - Changsha Yongsheng (2025–2026)
Zimmerman started playing internationally with Telekom Baskets Bonn during the 2019–2020 Basketball Bundesliga season in Germany. He joined the club on August 7, 2019, and averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in Bundesliga play. In the 2019–2020 Basketball Champions League, he averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds over 14 games.
Zimmerman signed with Polski Cukier Toruń for the 2020 Polish Basketball League season before joining ERA Nymburk later that month.
Zimmerman played for ERA Nymburk during the 2020–2021 Czech National Basketball League season and won the Czech Republic’s National Basketball League championship with the club in 2020. He averaged 9.2 points and 7.6 rebounds across 35 games.
In Basketball Champions League play with ERA Nymburk in 2021, Zimmerman averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists over 13 games.
Zimmerman joined Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka for the 2022–2023 Japan B2 League season, averaging 10.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 12 games.
Zimmerman joined Capitanes de Arecibo for the 2023 Puerto Rican BSN season and appeared in one game, recording 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block.
Zimmerman played for the Taipei Fubon Braves during the 2023–2024 P. League+ season in Taiwan, averaging 8.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
Zimmerman joined NS Matrix Deers for the 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia season in Malaysia, averaging 8.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists over three games.
Zimmerman played for Bambitious Nara during the 2024–2025 Japan B2 League season, averaging 11.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 59 games.
Zimmerman joined Changsha Yongsheng for the 2025 Chinese National Basketball League season and remained on the 2026 roster as a 213 cm center. Changsha reached the 2025 Chinese NBL Finals before losing the series 3–1 after an 85–71 Game 4 loss on September 22, 2025.
COLLEGE
Zimmerman played one season of NCAA basketball at UNLV in 2015–16, entering the program as one of the most highly regarded newcomers in the Mountain West and being named the conference’s Preseason Freshman of the Year at league media day.
As a freshman in 2015–16, Zimmerman appeared in 26 games, made 24 starts, and averaged 10.5 points, a team-high 8.7 rebounds, and a team-high 1.96 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game, immediately becoming UNLV’s primary interior presence on both ends.
He finished the season shooting 47.7 percent from the field, while also averaging 0.8 assists per game, and his overall production was reflected in advanced metrics that included a 17.6 PER and 2.1 win shares for the year.
In conference play, Zimmerman ranked second in the Mountain West in blocked shots and third in rebounding, while posting 17 double-figure scoring games and 13 games with 10 or more rebounds as one of the league’s most productive first-year big men.
His best scoring night came on February 2, 2016 against New Mexico, when he set a college career-high with 21 points, and his top rebounding performance came on January 19, 2016 against Utah State, when he grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds.
Zimmerman also received early-season national recognition through inclusion on the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List, which tracks the top centers in college basketball each season.
On March 28, 2016, Zimmerman declared for the NBA Draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility and ending his UNLV career after that single freshman campaign.
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2015)
Related
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