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Caseloads
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http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/sean_deveney/20030318.html
Identified foreign objects: Underaged arrive from overseas
March 18, 2003 Print it
There was a time when players from abroad would enter the NBA with a bit more hair on their chins than the fresh-faced youngsters who hit the scene after a year or two of college, if not sooner.
That is changing, as we'll witness in June, when the draft will feature two players, Darko Milicic and Sofoklis Schortsianitis, just days past their 18th birthdays.
"The way we scout and draft players in this country, we're beginning to do that overseas," Pistons VP of basketball operations John Hammond says. "Eventually, the ages get younger and younger."
Last year's draft had six first-round picks from overseas. This year: "There will be anywhere from eight to 11 players in Europe going in the first round," says agent Marc Cornstein, who represents a bumper crop of foreign youngsters, including Milicic. "And there could be more next year."
Two years ago, four of the first eight picks were used on high school big men. That has left the college game with a dearth of size, and that's where the best young Europeans will fill the gap.
To help you tell Darko from Zarko, we'll go through some basic introductions.
SPELL IT: Darko Milicic
Say it: DAR-ko MILL-ih-chik.
Basics: 7-0, 250 pounds, turns 18 on June 20, SF/PF/C. A Yugoslavian playing for Hemofarm in his home country.
Of note: Fifty credentials were given to NBA personnel types two weeks ago when Milicic's team faced a Greek powerhouse. He responded with 23 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks. He's thin and young but is the kind of European shooting guard in a center's body who is changing the game. The only question: What position will he play?
Draft speak: The consolation prize for the runner-up of the LeBron James lottery, with an outside chance to go No. 1 overall.
SPELL IT: Anderson Varejao
Say it: AN-der-son vah-RAY-ho
Basics: 6-9 pounds, 229, 20, PF. From Brazil, playing for FC Barcelona in Spain.
Of note: He's a big-time energy player, with the coolest hair in pro basketball outside of Ben Wallace. Rebounds like a madman and has a decent shot, good nose for the ball, smarts, strength and shot-blocking ability. He's still filling out his body.
Draft speak: A top 10 pick.
SPELL IT: Boris Diaw
Say it: BOR-iss DEE-ow
Basics: 6-8, 205, 20, SF. Plays for Pau Orthez in his home country of France.
Of note: Issa Diaw was a Senegalese high jump champ, and Elisabeth Riffiod was one of the best female basketball players in France -- their son Boris is, naturally, an incredible athlete. He's a good defender, can play the point and is unselfish almost to a fault -- think Richard Jefferson meets Scottie Pippen.
Draft speak: Will dazzle execs in workouts and land in the lottery.
SPELL IT: Mickael Pietrus
Say it: MY-kel PEET-russ
Basics: 6-5, 205 pounds, 21, SG. A Parisian who teams with Diaw for Pau Orthez.
Of note: Defense is his game, and he'd better improve offensively. He has athleticism and slashing ability, but his jumper needs work.
Draft speak: A late lottery or mid-first round pick.
SPELL IT: Sofoklis Schortsianitis
Say it: SOF-fik-klees skor-tih-NEE-tees
Basics: 6-9, 260 pounds, turns 18 on June 22, PF. Born in Greece, plays for Iraklis.
Of note: Former NBA player Tony Farmer dubbed him "Baby Shaq," though one scout says Schortsianitis is "more like a Gary Trent-type." But Schortsianitis has an incredible body and a variety of post moves. He will need a couple of years.
Draft speak: Could go between 15 and 20, if not higher.
SPELL IT: Zarko Cabarkapa
Say it: ZAR-ko cha-bar-KAH-pah
Basics: 7-0, 225 pounds, turns 22 in May, SF. Plays for Buducnost in his home country of Yugoslavia.
Of note: Big and versatile, in the Lamar Odom mold. Very skilled, a good passer. Should be among the most NBA-ready of the foreign draftees. A huge wingspan (nearly 7-2) helps him on defense.
Draft speak: Will go in the late teens or early 20s.
SPELL IT: Aleksandar Pavlovic
Say it: al-eck-SAN-dar PAHV-loh-vich
Basics: 6-7, 210 pounds, 19, SG. A Serbian who plays for Buducnost in Yugoslavia.
Of note: He's a great shooter, with form as smooth as Peja Stojakovic's. But he "plays like an American," one scout says. That means he can slash to the basket, score in the lane and, of course, dunk.
Draft speak: Will go in the late teens or early 20s.
SPELL IT: Slavko Vranes
Say it: SLAHV-ko VRAH-nish
Basics: 7-6, 300 pounds, 20, C. A reserve for -- you guessed it -- Buducnost in his home country.
Of note: He's very raw. A contractual issue forced him to sit out last year, impeding his development. He's huge, though, and his lack of development means he is a 7-6 blank slate for a patient team to mold.
Draft speak: A late first-round pick.
SPELL IT: Zoran Planinic
Say it: ZOR-an PLAH-nih-nik
Basics: 6-7, 195, 20, PG/SG. Playing for Cibona in his home country of Croatia.
Of note: Planinic opened eyes last year when, as a 19-year-old Croatian playing in a Serbian gym (against Partizan), he scored 28 points despite being hit by fans' batteries and coins. He's a solid all-around player with good size for a point guard.
Draft speak: Will go in the 20s.
SPELL IT: Carlos Delfino
Say it: CAR-lows del-FEE-noh
Basics: 6-7, 195 pounds, 20, SG. An Argentine playing for Fortitudo Bologna in Italy.
Of note: Emanuel Ginobili was another Argentine who played in Italy, but one scout points out, "In talent, Delfino is not Ginobili." Delfino's jumper is spotty, but he's a good defender, has explosiveness on offense and a good feel for the game.
Draft speak: On the fringe of the first round.
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3/21/2003 7:31 AM