Prospect Name: Nikola Pekovic
College: KK Partizan Belgrade, International
Position: C
Height: 6'11''
Weight: 243
Age: 22
2007-2008 Statistics: 16.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 58% from the field, 77% from the line
Key Strengths- Strength
- Rebounding
- Toughness
- Wingspan
- Finishing around the rim
- Establishing position in the low-post
- Mid-Range jump-shot
- Played big in Adriatic League Final Four (26.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 76% from the field)
- Dominated the Euroleague, the top center there
Key Weaknesses- Lateral quickness
- Running the floor
- Athleticism is lacking
- Basketball IQ needs to improve
- May stay in Europe long-term
- Passing
- Defensive upside
Outlook: Pekovic is slated to go early in the 2nd round but nobody knows if he's ever going to come play in the NBA. He absolutely tore up the Euroleague and is ready to take on the next challenge. I don't know where he'll get drafted or what his own expectations are but I don't see him suiting up in the NBA for a few more years. He has a different game than other European prospects. He doesn't play a finesse game and he isn't a softy. He's tough and likes to bang down low. But that isn't the full story. He's slow, doesn't really play defense, doesn't run the court well and may be a bit lacking in terms of knowledge of the game. I really couldn't tell you his outlook because the only person that really knows this is Nikola. Scouts probably have an idea but they don't know what his long-term projections are. He hasn't played against any NBA talent, so he could just be dominating a soft Euroleague because it's soft and his game is built on toughness. What is encouraging though is that he was able to take huge strides from one year to the next, averaging 13 MPG in 06/07, jumping to 27 MPG in 07/08. He also saw a huge spike in his points production, going from 4 in 06/07 to 16 and a half in 07/08. There's no question he's going to get drafted but will his game translate to the NBA? Looking at a lot of the other Europeans that had major success and proved themselves in the Euroleague, the chances are high. Those are the successful ones. But like most Europeans, huge gamble.
I have a ton of other prospect profiles I wrote up if you guys are interested in learning more about the draft. I know a ton as I watch a ton of basketball and sports in general. I can write you guys up profiles on most players, so if you want me to write one up just ask.