| Page 2 of 2 < |
Pecherov Grows on Wizards
Several NBA teams have experienced success by drafting an international player and then waiting for that player to develop overseas before bringing him to the United States.
The best example may be Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, a native of Argentina who played in Italy when the Spurs chose him in the second round of the 1999 draft. Ginobili remained in Italy until 2002, and the result was a seasoned, polished and physically developed player who has helped the Spurs win two championships.
  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) NBA DRAFT Wizards draft pick Oleksiy Pecherov has only played basketball for five years but his development has been swift.
The Toronto Raptors select Italy's Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick in an unpredictable draft that saw four of the top seven picks switch teams by the middle of the first round.
The Wizards use the 18th pick to select forward Pecherov, a 20-year-old native of Ukraine.
George Washington guard Danilo Pinnock and Cincinnati swingman James White are the only two players drafted with D.C.-area ties.
The TOP 101. Toronto, Andrea Bargnani, Italy.
2. a-Chicago, LaMarcus Aldridge, Texas.
3. Charlotte, Adam Morrison, Gonzaga.
4. a-Portland, Tyrus Thomas, LSU.
5. Atlanta, Shelden Williams, f, Duke.
6. b-Minnesota, Brandon Roy, Washington.
7. c-Boston, Randy Foye, Villanova.
8. Houston, Rudy Gay, Connecticut.
9. Golden State, Patrick O'Bryant, Bradley.
10. Seattle, Mouhamed Saer Sene, Belgium.
a-Chicago and Portland traded rights.
b-Traded to Portland for G Randy Foye.
c-Traded to Portland.
ON OUR SITESurvey: What's the strongest NBA draft class?
NBA BasicsSave & Share |
Saving options
Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko, Pacers guard Peja Stojakovic and Nets center Nenad Krstic also spent years overseas after being drafted before making their NBA debuts.
Pecherov's overall skills appear to be ideal for Jordan's Princeton-style offense.
"It excites me about him," Jordan said. "It excites me that a guy at seven feet can do those things: pass, shoot, play on the perimeter, and yet he's tough enough to take some hits inside and he's a good defensive rebounder. But again, we have to see how his international experience and what he does in summer league translates into October."
Pecherov's first order of business yesterday was figuring out where he was going to watch today's big World Cup match.
"I can't wait to see Washington and get to know this city," said Pecherov, who has been assigned jersey No. 14. "I think I will like it very much here."
Wizards Note: Second-round pick Vladimir Veremeenko was not in Washington yesterday. Veremeenko is under contract to Dynamo St. Petersburg and is expected to remain in Russia for at least another year, but the Wizards would like to bring him to Las Vegas for summer league.
