Cody Zeller undergoes surgery to repair right shoulder, out 3 months

This is the time of year when every player who was putting off a major medical procedure finally gets it taken care of, maximizing their recovery time.

Cody Zeller is no different, as the Charlotte Hornets center underwent surgery Wednesday. 

Zeller had a tendon in his right shoulder repaired, and doctors also removed a bone spur and some scar tissue. He's expected to be sidelined for three months, leaving him ample time to recover for the 2015-16 season. He had played just once since March 9 due to the injury and it was largely expected he'd need postseason surgery.

It's a disappointing conclusion to an encouraging sophomore campaign, one that saw the Indiana product carve out a larger role in head coach Steve Clifford's frontcourt rotation. In 62 games, Zeller averaged 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24 minutes, shooting 46.1 percent from the floor.

The 22-year-old 7-footer has two more seasons on his rookie scale contract and stands to figure prominently into the team's plans for next season, especially if Al Jefferson opts out or Bismack Biyombo leaves as a restricted free agent.