Strengths: A 6-7 natural point guard with immense upside … A real competitor, also very smart. Charismatic … Really has a great feel for the game at a young age … Has it all offensively with the ability to shoot off the dribble with range as well as take it to the basket … Tremendous passer and ball handler … Has a nasty crossover and handles the ball well against the quickest of defenders … Makes the game look very easy … Creates baskets for his teammates and makes those around him better … Very bouncy, good leaper with huge wingspan … Looks very young. Could still be growing … Has huge hands giving him added control over the ball … Applies himself defensively and shows good instincts staying in front of his man and not biting on fakes … One of the top overall prospects in all of Europe …

Weaknesses: His frame is very long but his shoulders are narrow and he is very skinny … May never be a very strong player, but as a point guard, that’s less important … Added strength will allow him to drive to the basket and absorb contact better … He’ll also be able to use his size better on the boards … Being from Russia, he has some hurdles to cross as a number of recent Russian players (besides AK47) have struggled to make the transition to the NBA/USA culture …

Aran Smith – 6/17/2007

NBADraft.net Interview