(older article, i know... but i wonder whatever happened to this kid)

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/is-sofoklis-schortsanitis-coming-to-america-ar31877.html

Is Sofoklis Schortsanitis Coming to America?
By C.Y. Ellis 05.13.2006

As a Greek, I was as excited as I’d been in a while when I first heard of a promising prospect going by the name of Sophocles Schortsianides (or, as you’ve probably seen it rendered, “Sofoklis Schortsanitis”) shortly prior to the 2003 draft. Happy as we were to see him drafted by the Clippers early in the second round, my hoummos-eating homies and I were beginning to wonder why it had been nearly three years without any indication that L.A. were planning on bringing him stateside.Having heard reports that he’d lost his work ethic and gained a few unnecessary pounds, I was worried that we might never see the hulking Hellene make it to the league, but today’s report from the Clipper camp has quelled my concerns.

Although the Clippers don’t have a first-round selection in the draft, they might receive help from former second-round pick Sofoklis Schortsanitis of Greece.

The Clippers selected Schortsanitis after choosing Chris Kaman with their No. 1 pick (sixth overall) in the 2003 draft.

Baylor last week said the Clippers, who have two second-round picks, would consider bringing Schortsanitis, 21, to the NBA next season.

All I know for certain of young Sofo is that he’s now taller and heavier than when he first checked in with the league, now standing roughly 6’11’’ and weighing somewhere in the vicinity of 315 pounds. Although he’s known for being a monster in the weight room, there’s no guarantee that the extra pounds can be attributed to an increase in muscle mass.

Whatever the case, the Clippers have a beast on their hands, one of the few I’ve seen that are capable of putting up decent numbers on their physical capabilities alone. If they can teach the big man a little finesse in L.A., they’ll have a very dangerous player on their side for some years to come.

It's a good thing he'll be playing in the west. He'd hit Curry a few times and Curry would disappear the rest of the game. Curry doesn't like people who play physical with him. It throws him off his game.

I saw him play this past summer. He had a few skills but nothing really polished. He is more of a putback and layup player right now, but he is a beast down low and takes up alot of space. He plays more physical than Curry so if he learns a few post moves, he could be a good center for them in the future. He is still a few years away though.

Posted by Masterplan:

Posted by Bonn1997:

I don't know if Eddy's good enough to start calling prospects the next Eddy Curry! He does look a bit like Eddy, though!

well he's also not bad enough to start calling prospects the next EC too... the next sam bowie/olowokandi/kwame brown etc.

i was only comparing the 2 because of their similar physical attributes... he seems like he can be an Eddy Curry type player, but i wouldn't expect him to be as polished in the low post as Eddy's become right off the bat... it'll take time for this kid to develop his game just like it took Eddy (& he's still learning).