Sofoklis Schortsanitis, Nikola Pekovic and Tiago Splitter has been on the NBA radars for several years. The three has been drafted by NBA teams earlier in their carrers, and now it seems that the NBA rights of all three will be executed this summer.
Big Sofo (C, 24, Greece) was drafted at the 34th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the LA Clippers, the massive big man is becoming a free agent this summer, and according to his agent, Schortanitis feels ready to play in the NBA. All signs show that this is going to be Baby Shaq's track in this summer. The 6-9 Center has averaged 7.2ppg, 2.6 rpg and 3.2fdpg in 13 minutes for Olympiacos this season. Schortsanitis will probably sign a $6-8M dollar deal for 3 years with the Clipps, although the Houston Rockets has shown some interest in the Greek center as well.
Big Sofo (C, 24, Greece) was drafted at the 34th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the LA Clippers, the massive big man is becoming a free agent this summer, and according to his agent, Schortanitis feels ready to play in the NBA. All signs show that this is going to be Baby Shaq's track in this summer. The 6-9 Center has averaged 7.2ppg, 2.6 rpg and 3.2fdpg in 13 minutes for Olympiacos this season. Schortsanitis will probably sign a $6-8M dollar deal for 3 years with the Clipps, although the Houston Rockets has shown some interest in the Greek center as well.
Nikola Pekovic (C, 24, Montenegro) is another NBA prospect that is about to leave the continent to the US. Pekovic, 6-11 Center from Montenegro who is playing for Panathinaikos, was drafted 31st in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pekovic has agreed to play with the Wolves next season according to Tony Ronzone, Minnesota's assistant coach. Pekovic averaged 14.8ppg, 3.5rpg and 14.9rkg in 21 minutes this Euroleague. Pekovic is signed on a contract with the greens, but an NBA clause is avilable and Minnesota is willing to use it. Aleks Maric, Partizan Belgrade's Center, is the top candidate to replace the Pac-Man.
Last but definitely not least is Brazilian Center of Caja Laboral, Tiago Splitter (C/F, 25, Brazil). Splitter is the most experienced player among the three, and at the age of 25 he comes from 7 straight years with Caja Laboral (aka Tau Ceramica Baskonia). Splitter has been playing with the Basques in the ACB and the Euroleague which are considered as the best continental and domestic leagues in Europe. The rights on Splitter are held by the San Antonio Spurs- which is probably the most International-Player-Friendly team in the NBA, and according to the latest reports- Splitter's time to join Tim Duncan at the starting lineup is coming very soon. Splitter has an opt-out clause in his contract with Caja Laboral and after some meetings with the Spurs' representatives, the Brazilian big-man has decided to use it. Splitter was picked 28th overall by the Spurs in the 2007 NBA Draft. He averaged 13ppg, 5.4rpg and 15.8rkg in 26 mpg this year in the Euroleague.
