Ainge scouting 6-10 18 year-old foreign pg

[Eddie20]

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2013/04/06/greek-freak-prospect-draws-danny-ainge-to-greece/

In the latest installment of “Catch a Rising Star,” Boston Celtics president Dany Ainge traveled to Greece to get a first-hand look at Giannis Adetokunbo, the 6-foot-10 point guard who is moving up draft boards by leaps and bounds.

Aingle was in the house — and got heckled by Lakers fans — as Adetokunbo scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and two steals in the championship round of the Greek A2 league.

Ainge also saw the CSKA-Panathinaikos Euroleague game, an qs quoted by Greek media as comparing Adetokundo as reminding him of a young Scottie Pippen.

So who is this Greek freak? And why is he surfacing on the draft radar so late in the process?

For one thing, Adetokunbo grew up as an undocumented immigrant of Nigerian ancestry, and he does not currently hold a passport. That may change in the weeks ahead, as both the Greek and Nigerian national federations are trying to secure him for their national teams, and Adetokunbo’s next big test — should that passport arrive — would be an appearance at the NBA pre-draft Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy.

Our draft guru, Joe Kotoch, currently has him at No. 24 in Mock Draft 1.0.1 and says he would not be surprised to see him shoot up into the lottery, much like Bismack Biyombo did a few years back.

Adetokunbo recently signed a four-year contract with Zaragoza of Spain, but the deal contains an affordable buyout that could facilitate making the jump to the NBA next fall for his rookie season.

Oklahoma City, Denver, Toronto and Houston executives also have traveled to Greece to watch the 18-year-old play.

[clover]

What I take from this is that Danny would be willing to draft for potential--if it's high potential--this year.

Good to know.

[Bosstown]

I saw the highlights on this kid, and despite him being extremely raw he is very coordinated for 6-10. He has great handle for someone of this size (think Kevin Durant), and his court vision looks superb for someone his age. It seems like the two areas he needs to improve on are shooting and strength.

[Celtics18]

Giannis is definitely an exciting looking prospect, but I'd still rather see Danny go with one of the many quality bigs that will be left by the time the Celtics are on board.

[Moranis]

Giannis is definitely an exciting looking prospect, but I'd still rather see Danny go with one of the many quality bigs that will be left by the time the Celtics are on board.

he is 6'10".  He might very well be the tallest player in the draft.

[Celtics18]

Giannis is definitely an exciting looking prospect, but I'd still rather see Danny go with one of the many quality bigs that will be left by the time the Celtics are on board.

he is 6'10".  He might very well be the tallest player in the draft.

True, he's tall, but he's not a "big."

[Jeff]

interesting

[Kane3387]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km632hL-XCo

I think this guy will be gone by the time we pick at 16 or 17. I bet Sam Presti and the Thunder take him.

[Kevin OConnor]

I think "GA" (can we just all agree that GA is easier to say than Giannis Adetokunbo lol), is the type of player Ainge will likely draft this year. A guy that can maybe start out in the D-League and eventually make his way onto the rotation.

Unless KG and Pierce retire, we currently have a very crowded roster, so why not go with a guy that has HIGH upside that might be able to have star potential over a guy that can probably play right away?

Even though I wasn't a fan of the Fab Melo pick, I understand the mindset. Go with one guy that's ready, in Sully, fills a need, etc, then go with one guy that could be in your rotation for years to come once he's developed...if he develops, in Fab.

Maybe the same this year.

[Kevin OConnor]

Where are the highlights?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi3gOHwdO7A for highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO8qYD9CwYgfor a full game...I haven't watched this year but have it queued to watch in the coming weeks. Youtube is amazing because you get these full game posts that are a real indicator of what a guy can do. Gotta love it.

[pearljammer10]

Like I posted in the other thread on this guy

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=63891.0

His highlights are impressive but he just looks like the best player in the pick up guy where his opponents are half his size and half as good.

[Snakehead]

Like I posted in the other thread on this guy

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=63891.0

His highlights are impressive but he just looks like the best player in the pick up guy where his opponents are half his size and half as good.

And yet he's still just 18, and you could have tried to slight Kevin Durant the same way.