Post by cfoo on May 24, 2005 22:01:54 GMT -5
For insiders
18. BOSTON CELTICS
Nemanja Aleksandrov
SERBIA | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 18
Last year, many had Aleksandrov projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. An average summer and season combined with recent knee surgery to repair a partially torn ACL have really damaged his stock. Chances are he'll withdraw and try again next year. If he doesn't, it will be hard for the Celtics to pass up on such a talent. Given that they've had five first-round picks in the past two seasons, they can afford to wait for Aleksandrov to develop in Europe for the next couple of years
Draft Projection: Late lottery to mid-first round
Notes: Averaged 6.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Reflex in Serbia before injuring his knee. He's been projected all year as a contender for the No. 1 overall pick since the summer of 2003 when he had a breakout performance at the annual Big Man camp in Treviso, Italy. Aleksandrov played to mixed reviews at Reebok Eurocamp in June and the Under 18 Championships in Zaragoza this summer. In both tournaments, he struggled with his perimeter shot and looked passive much of the time. He did, however, have a breakout 22-point game in front of a gym full of scouts in Croatia before tearing his ACL. He had surgery in mid-May on the knee and won't be able to begin playing basketball again until September or October. According to his agent, SFX's David Bauman, his buyout is set at a reasonable $650,000 and, in all likelihood, he's staying in the draft.
Positives: He's one of the most skilled big men you'll ever find at his age. He has a very good 3-point shot, good athleticism (though just a 24-inch vertical), a great handle and great footwork in the paint. He's quick and a real matchup problem on offense.
Negatives: The issue with Aleksandrov is heart. He often coasts in games, doesn't always defend and will disappear for large chunks of the game. He seems to be able to turn it on and off at will, but that's a scary attribute in a top prospect like this.
Summary: His stock has been slipping all year. Now that he has a torn ACL, can't workout for teams, and won't be available for the summer league, it doesn't look great for him. He still has the talent to go in the late lottery (maybe No. 13 to Charlotte) but he could really slip if he stays in.
18. BOSTON CELTICS
Nemanja Aleksandrov
SERBIA | SMALL FORWARD
HEIGHT: 6-10 | WEIGHT: 220 | AGE: 18
Last year, many had Aleksandrov projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. An average summer and season combined with recent knee surgery to repair a partially torn ACL have really damaged his stock. Chances are he'll withdraw and try again next year. If he doesn't, it will be hard for the Celtics to pass up on such a talent. Given that they've had five first-round picks in the past two seasons, they can afford to wait for Aleksandrov to develop in Europe for the next couple of years
Draft Projection: Late lottery to mid-first round
Notes: Averaged 6.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Reflex in Serbia before injuring his knee. He's been projected all year as a contender for the No. 1 overall pick since the summer of 2003 when he had a breakout performance at the annual Big Man camp in Treviso, Italy. Aleksandrov played to mixed reviews at Reebok Eurocamp in June and the Under 18 Championships in Zaragoza this summer. In both tournaments, he struggled with his perimeter shot and looked passive much of the time. He did, however, have a breakout 22-point game in front of a gym full of scouts in Croatia before tearing his ACL. He had surgery in mid-May on the knee and won't be able to begin playing basketball again until September or October. According to his agent, SFX's David Bauman, his buyout is set at a reasonable $650,000 and, in all likelihood, he's staying in the draft.
Positives: He's one of the most skilled big men you'll ever find at his age. He has a very good 3-point shot, good athleticism (though just a 24-inch vertical), a great handle and great footwork in the paint. He's quick and a real matchup problem on offense.
Negatives: The issue with Aleksandrov is heart. He often coasts in games, doesn't always defend and will disappear for large chunks of the game. He seems to be able to turn it on and off at will, but that's a scary attribute in a top prospect like this.
Summary: His stock has been slipping all year. Now that he has a torn ACL, can't workout for teams, and won't be available for the summer league, it doesn't look great for him. He still has the talent to go in the late lottery (maybe No. 13 to Charlotte) but he could really slip if he stays in.
