Pecherov Grows on Wizards

Former Soccer Player Developing on the Basketball Court

Oleksiy Pecherov, left, and Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld talk to reporters the day after the 6-foot-11 forward was drafted. (By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)

Oleksiy Pecherov plans to be in front of a television today when the Ukrainian soccer team takes on Italy in the World Cup. During a news conference officially announcing his arrival as the first-round draft choice of the Washington Wizards yesterday afternoon, Pecherov's eyes lit up at the mere mention of today's match.

"Football is the big thing in Ukraine," Pecherov said. "Our team is doing a good job and I hope they beat Italy."

Had circumstances been different, Pecherov might have had a career in soccer. However, nature had other plans as Pecherov, now 20, has grown to 6 feet 11 with a smooth shooting stroke and outstanding agility for a person his size, something he attributes to his background on the soccer pitch.

"I started out playing football but I kept growing and growing," said Pecherov, who has been playing basketball for only five years. "Once I started playing basketball, that's all I cared about, all I read about. It was all I wanted to do. It is my favorite game."

And it has him on the cusp of playing in the NBA. The Wizards used the 18th pick to take Pecherov in Wednesday's draft and feel that with time, he has the kind of talent that could steal him a few headlines back in soccer-mad Ukraine.

Wizards officials traveled to France to watch Pecherov play for Paris Basket Racing this spring and were intrigued by the lanky forward with deadly outside shooting skills and solid rebounding ability.

They grew more impressed on June 1, when Pecherov had a strong head-to-head workout against Hilton Armstrong, a center from Connecticut who was selected by New Orleans with the 12th pick. Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan was on hand for that workout and rattled off a few things that intrigued him about Pecherov, who has been compared to Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki.

"The fact that with his size he can get off a shot," Jordan said. "That he's versatile with the ball off the floor, off the dribble, that he can get his shot off either on catch-and-shoots or off the dribble. He has some nice skills."

Paris Basket Racing, which plays in the French Pro A league, is the same team that produced San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker. Pecherov is currently on loan to Paris Basket Racing and holds an $800,000 buyout option with his original team in Kiev, Ukraine.

The Wizards can pay up to $500,000 of that buyout if they feel that Pecherov is ready to play next season. That will be decided starting Thursday when Pecherov plays for Washington's summer league team in Las Vegas. The squad will include last year's draft pick, forward Andray Blatche, as well as second-year guard Donell Taylor and third-year center Peter John Ramos.

While expressing excitement over the prospect of playing in the NBA, Pecherov said he would be open to returning to Europe.

"It depends on the team," said Pecherov, who averaged 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 23 games in Paris last season. "If they want me right away, I will stay. If they need me to stay in Europe, I will stay one more year in Europe and improve myself. I think this is a good situation for me."