Official Thread: Nemanja Aleksandrov

[admin]

Nemanja Aleksandrov, SF/PF
18 years old 7'0" 220 lbs.
KK FMP Zeleznik, International

Check out the complete profile at: Full Profile (http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=37)

[Dan]

When will he declare?

[Genjuro]

Given his situation (he's injured and I'm not sure if any European team will give him big money), I think he will declare as soon as he can expect some NBA team to sign him for good money (meaning that he might pull the trigger even if he expects to fall in the second round, just like Andriuskevicius or Ilyasova, both second rounders under contract right now).

However, it's really hard to tell. Hopefully, he comes back as soon as possible and keeps working on his game.

[KristianH]

Aleksandrov was supposed to be back on court in December, but it seems like there are some complications. He might not play at all this season. It awful for young player to lose whole year because of injury.

[Dan]

He was ranked pretty high wasn't he? Could he end up being a low 1st early 2nd steal because of the injury?

[Genjuro]

This season he would certainly be a low first at best. What is a matter of debate is whether he would be a steal or not. Aleksandrov has proved little in his career, and it's still too early to know if he will be able to earn a living in the NBA.

[Jonathan]

His agent told me he is signing with a team in Serbia sometime this week. So look out for that I suppose.

[Rodger]

Did he have a second surgery or something? I remember when I saw him shooting around in Chicago last June, and he was moving around quite well considering that he had just had surgery. The scar on his knee from the surgery was huge though!

By the way guys, from what I could tell, he really looked to be a legit 7'0.

[jwfish6]

I heard from Marin Sedlacek and Milenko Tepic that Aleksandrov is still recovering from his torn ACL and is working out (mainly shooting) in Zeleznik. Milenko Tepic sounded confident that Nemanja would be prepared to play in the 2006 u20 Euro Championships in July (as he should be fully recovered in 3 months). Hopefully Nemanja will be ready to play this summer, whether it be with Serbia or a NBA Summer League team.

[bigman]

Has Aleksandrov played any type of basketball this year? The mystery of his reappearence after a year would give him a little boost, but he is known as a slacker. Who would give him a shot? The Spurs? The Bulls? The Pistons?

Will anyone take him in the first round and is he really a first round talent?

[KristianH]

No, he hasn`t played in any official game during last 12 months. Based just on potential he is among Top 10 players in this draft, probably Top 5.

[bigman]

Assuming the BULLS take either Tyrus Thomas or LaMarcus Aldrige, would Aleksandrov be a good pick at around 15-18? Sounds like a worthy player to take a chance on.

[KristianH]

He will need atleast some seasoning in D league to become useful at NBA level, and there are questions about his desire and passion for the game. He is high risk, high reward pick...i think Bulls will be better served to look for immediate help picking Ronnie Brewer, Mardy Collins or someone like that.

[bigman]

The BULLS can sign a big better than Brewer or Collins I would think. ( The name of Peja S. comes to mind. ) Aleksandrov is very talented and he could be a steal at 17th. The Bulls are in a unique situation with cap space, a playoff bound team and top 3 draft pick other than their own. If ALeksondrov is as good as advertised and he works well with Skiles, he will be a BULL. But a more likely scenario is that Aleksandrov does not enter the draft and the BULLS take a tall guard at 15-17.

[ja809]

Aleksandrov has a lot of potential, but to say he's gona go 15-17 when he hasn't played in a year because of a serious injury, nor made any noise on the senior level is ridiculous.

If anything, last year should have been proof, except the foul up by the Clippers, that some of these international wonderboys won't get taken until the second round.

I'm a big fan of Bargnani and Belinelli, but those guys have at least accomplished something on the senior level, I think that warrants being a first round selection, Aleksandrov got the same hype Andriuskevicius did, maybe even less, at best he goes late first round on potential only, but that's at best IMO.

[bigman]

I have an idea as to why Aleksandrov might be in this draft. He wants to out from under the rookie contract deals. If he is not drafted he becomes an undrafted FA and can, like Nocioni did with the Bulls, sign for what ever he can get. He also will have this if he is drafted in the second round, but he will be limited to one team. If he is not drafted, he can go anywhere. So, if he is a really good player, he can leverage teams against each other in the future. I wonder if that is what he is thinking?

[Genjuro]

I have an idea as to why Aleksandrov might be in this draft. He wants to out from under the rookie contract deals. If he is not drafted he becomes an undrafted FA and can, like Nocioni did with the Bulls, sign for what ever he can get. He also will have this if he is drafted in the second round, but he will be limited to one team. If he is not drafted, he can go anywhere. So, if he is a really good player, he can leverage teams against each other in the future. I wonder if that is what he is thinking?
There's no way he goes undrafted. Somebody would take a chance on him in the second round. He has too much potential to ignore him.

[jwfish6]

For Luis or Kristain,

What is the current situation with Aleksandrov, does anybody know? I know he's "working" out, but does this mean simply shooting and conditioning, or does this mean 5 on 5 working out? I hope that he can impress scouts and land in the late first round because he is a 18 ( i dont even think he has turned 19 yet) 7 foot small forward. Surely his potential is more than Korolev and Ilyasova's, but I guess the only reason we are even discussing this is because of his injury. I would think he could go late first and then impress in the NBDL (like Ilyasova has done). I think the NBDL would be much better sutied for him than Europe because many European teams do not give players much time. A perfect example is Mile Ilic. He is not even playing 20 minutes a game in Zeleznik, but he could be playing 40 minutes a game in the NBDL playing more NBA-ready/stylish players. I mean, if Ilyasova was in Ulker right now he would be playing what, 15 minutes a game, if he was lucky? But the NBDL has highly benefited his development.

[jwfish6]

I just read on this website right here (http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=3307) that Aleksandrov will probably sign for Crvena Zvezda this summer. As you can read, it said that he will most likely sign their and play 30 mpg, rather than signing for Euroleague club (like Beneton) and play 10 mpg. Sounds very interesting considering theirs been no word any time lately on Aleksandrov. Sounds like a good oppurtunity for him in Red Star also since they have no real young prospects he and Gurovic could make quite the tandom.

[KristianH]

This story was published in serbian Zurnal, which is not reliable source. I think playing in European competitions is better for young players, Ilic is playing 15 minutes because he has some big flaws such as man-to-man defense and rebouding...you have to earn your minutes, european clubs depend on result, they are not going to play guy 30 minutes just to prepare him for the NBA.

[jwfish6]

That makes sense, because that website (24sec.net) says a lot of shaky reports. Where are you located? Do you attend games very often? If so, which leagues and where?

[KristianH]

Im from Croatia, i watch games in Zagreb (Cedevita, Cibona, Zagreb) very often...tommorow i`ll watch Zagreb vs. Cibona.

[jwfish6]

Are you able to watch any junior games? Have you been able to watch Zeljko Sakic of Cibona? I know that he had a very good tournament at the AST for Croatia. What is the latest with Aleksandar Urginoski? I heard that he went to Los Angeles.

[KristianH]

Zeljko Sakic is player of Kaptol, but played for Cibona at Euroleague tournament. Cibona`s junior squad is kind of poor, they are atleast 3 better junior teams in Croatia - Split, Sibenik, Zagreb. I watch some Cibona`s junior games from time to time, haven`t seen Sakic yet.

Ugrinoski is in U.S. working with Eric Lichter on his physique, that`s last thing i heard.

[jwfish6]

Nemanja Aleksandrov has signed with Crvena Zvezda in Serbia, leaving his old team in which he hadn't played for in over a year (FMP Zeleznik). Hopefully he will star playing soon and have a good year next year in the Goodyear League and ULEB Cup and be ready to play in the NBA in 07-08. Here is where i found the article (http://www.eurobasket.com/SCG/SCG.asp), very reliable european website.

[jwfish6]

Nemanja Aleksandrov has signed with Crvena Zvezda in Serbia, leaving his old team in which he hadn't played for in over a year (FMP Zeleznik). Hopefully he will star playing soon and have a good year next year in the Goodyear League and ULEB Cup and be ready to play in the NBA in 07-08. Here is where i found the article (http://www.eurobasket.com/SCG/SCG.asp), very reliable european website.

[bigman]

I wonder if this contract has an easy out clause for the NBA in case he is actually drafted? If not then it is a given that he will abandon the draft this year.

[Matiz]

well... it's not like Zvezda is definately going to play in Uleb-cup, I mean they already got their spot, but winning the serbian championship would mean Red Star plays in euroleague, and their chances are not that bad this season...
Jumping up to Benneton, Tau and the rest wouldn't really be beneficial for him playing in NBA, he'd get caught up on 6-7 years deals with bigger buyout out there... not to mention the minutes he'd get. It's still the best for a player to get developed at home.
Aleksandrov is supposed to sign a 4year deal with NBA clause today...

[wardjdim]

well... it's not like Zvezda is definately going to play in Uleb-cup, I mean they already got their spot, but winning the serbian championship would mean Red Star plays in euroleague, and their chances are not that bad this season...
Jumping up to Benneton, Tau and the rest wouldn't really be beneficial for him playing in NBA, he'd get caught up on 6-7 years deals with bigger buyout out there... not to mention the minutes he'd get. It's still the best for a player to get developed at home.
Aleksandrov is supposed to sign a 4year deal with NBA clause today...
Thats pretty interestin info. Isnt there a contract with Partizan and Uleb? If no, then, what are the chances of Red Star goin all the way this year?

[Matiz]

no contract between Partizan and Uleb (eventhough Zvezda's fans would say that there is a contract between Partizan and serbian bball federation :D)

in the normal situation I'd say Železnik, Partizan and Zvezda would have the most chances followed closely by Hemofarm and Vojvodina (Bodučnost is far too young for the title right now, that's pretty sure)... but it's balkan so I'd say it's either Partizan or Zvezda.
In the begining of the season Zvezda played phenomenal bball, but lately the pace is slowing down (sadly I haven't seen them in this period).
Overall Partizan is more talented team for the future, but right now Zvezda has a better team with imho better coach (Vujoševič compared to Šakota...)... we'll see. I think it's time for Partizan to stop with ashaming theirselves year after year in euroleague than winning the title somehow and playing there again, while Hemofarm, Železnik/Reflex and Crvena Zvezda are all doing great in uleb-cup year after year but somehow can't get to the title eventhough they were mostly dominant through the season...
just my opinion...

[wardjdim]

What is the possibility for Nemanja gettin good minutes (progressively over 15 mpg) by the end of the season? I m talkin given today's Red Star roster..

[Matiz]

What is the possibility for Nemanja gettin good minutes (progressively over 15 mpg) by the end of the season? I m talkin given today's Red Star roster..
well, as I said before I haven't watched any of Zvezda's game for some months now, while the last time I saw Aleksandrov playing was a year and a half ago... so it's hard for me to make a statement about it. Zvezda isn't that strong under the rim depending on Antic and Vukosavljevic mainly and Aleksandrov is talented 210cm tall guy so I'd say he should get some "developing" minutes... nothing is sure though Miloševič and Markovič more or less sitted on the bench this season eventhough they are considered among best Greek/Australian talents...

... afterall Aleksandrov had a serious injury and god knows how much can he do right now, many great 17,18 years old dissapeared due to injuries Aleksandrov might be the next one, eventhough I hope not...

anyway i think he made the right choice, he fullfilled his child's dreams of once playing for Zvezda, he'll get decent competition, more minutes than abroad under a good coach and won't force things up as many euro prospects do... especially from Balkans...

[jwfish6]

Getting over 15 minutes a game from here on out would be remarkable for Aleksandrov. The only problem is that not many sources make it clear whther he is 100% yet or not. I mean, does this signing mean that he waited til he was ready to play to sign? Or does he still have a little more ways to go? Hopefully he is ready to go and could see some garbage time early on since Red Star has a tendency to destroy other Serbian teams. I am sure that he is also practicing full time with Red Star now going up against Gurovic which would be a great matchup. Hopefully, Nemanja will play for the u20 National Team this year, because if he joins Labovic and Teodosic(both playing 30mpg in Borac), Tripkovic and Pekovic(enough said), and Nenad Mijatovic (playing HUGE minutes for Buduncost)then Serbia should have great chances. Also it would be great if he can get about 10 minutes a game from this point on and play about 30 mpg next year alongside Gurovic, and then be ready for the 2007 Draft.

[stelman]

i recently had a short conversation with the GM of Red Star and told me that he is not ready yet to play after the injury and is not sure if he is going to play to the U20 champ.then he told me that his position is clearly power forward and like a pf he is going to play next year.i just don't understand why everyone is trying to present him as a SF.He can't even guard a SF with 6'9-6'10.imagine to guard a SF 6'7-6'8

[DonMonte]

We can expect that Aleksandrov will be on court for Red Star at the end of November or at the begining of December.

[jwfish6]

wow its about time we hear something about aleksandrov it is so frustrating not only did he miss all of last season but he still isnt playing? what exactly is the deal? well, atleast in his absence tadija dragicevic has developed into a semi-star

[coachjon]

i think if he can get his health back he could go in 2008 as a late first to early second round guy and develop into a solid roleplaying starter/6th man type guy in the NBA.
he is a very good offensive player that can shoot the 3, slasher, good rebounder, runs the floor well, good hands, good wingspan, lots of potential, good passer out of the double in the post, good ballhandler, good shotblocker(but poor defender), doesn't play hard all the time, needs to gain weight/strength, not very physical, inexperienced at this stage due to injuries.

[jwfish6]

yeah everybodys heard all that a billion times where the hell has the guy been for the past 2 years i realize he was hurt last year but he was supposed to be ready to play early this year around the time of the Hoop Summit but he passes on that so you assume surely he'll be ready to go this year next thing we know hes still out

[Srle]

I dont expect alot from him this season. Next sesaon will be crucial for him.

[jwfish6]

What is the latest from Aleksandrov? I notice his stats arnt half bad for his minutes that he is getting, so what is new from him? Has he completely fell of the radar? He has to still hold some intrigue being a 7'0 forward from 1987.

[CV3bandwagon]

Nemanja is quite the interesting prospect. Somehow I just think that perhaps his injury will make him go under the radar like Ilyasova did and some team might grab a gem.

I'm interested in his passing ability. How is it? Toronto routinely runs a lot of flex offense plays throughout a game where Jorge Garbajosa plays as a big three to see over the defenders and hit the cutters with a pass. He fits in wonderfuly with his ability to hit the open shot if nothing becomes available. The only problem is that Jorge is 29 years old, and we need somebody to replace him and take over that role in the offense in a few years. Andrea is developing into more of 4/5 that plays inside-out with Bosh and despite his great passing ability is more valueable with his athletic ability as being the one cutting to the basket as he posterized Kris Kamen and Elton Brand once from a beautifly feed from Jorge.

So I'm wondering in Nemanja can develop into the same mold as Jorge Garbajosa. Can he become that Toni Kukoc type (not as good certaintly) that can play point forward as a big three that can shoot, pass, rebound and dribble. If so where/when could the Raptors draft him?

[kuchini1]

Surely not with his poor passion for the game and intesity..

[CV3bandwagon]

Is it really as bad as they say it is? It's a shame that he wastes his talent and physical gifts like that. Are there any others in the same mold of player that you like as a prospect?

[kuchini1]

I can think about two more players who are pretty like the type of player you described.
first of all,of course it's the next big Italian prospect after Bargnani,Danilo Gallinari,who is a pretty tall SF(6-10 or 6-9)with very nice passing abilities,and the other is maybe Serbian Ivan Radenovic who is currently playing for Arizona in the NCAA,although he not very like a SF and more of a PF or even C.
But his a very very impressive passer..

[demo]

I have a question,what is the exact height of Alexandrov?In the hoop summit he is said to be 6'10.If you see the official heights he is said to be 6'10 without shoes and 7'0 with shoes!!He is the only player who grows 2 inches with shoes.I believe that he too overestimated as a player.Why here in draftexpress you keep saying that he is 7'0?If you see him in a game with other tall players you can realise that he 6'10 or at very most 6'11.on the other hand if everyone keep reading that he is 7'0 then there is a false picture about this kid.The same is with his position.He is not SF.He always plays as a PF and you keep writting that he is SF.For God's Shake!Do you believe that he can guard aSF?No way.Thats why he is always playing PF.Please be more accurate with the info you provide.Thats why i say that he is too overestimated.Thanks

[Genjuro]

At first sight, I would say Aleksandrov is 6-11 without shoes, so easily 7 feet with shoes. It could be an inch less, though.

As for his ability to defend SF, I don't think he will be able. I'm also aware that he plays full-time PF. I don't think you have read anything written in DraftExpress in the last two years stating the opposite. Yes, his profile is outdated; it was written in 2004. So was his positional outlook (our bad), although we have corrected it by now.

All the way a PF, that's it for him right now.

You can read the latest on him here: http://www.draftexpress.com/blogs.php?blogid=4&a=1914&mod=comment

[jwfish6]

he is without a doubt only a pf now...before the injury he could of been a dirk-like small forward..but now it looks like he will be a power forward with a sweet stroke....like memo okur

[ecuhus]

He put in a solid double-dobule at the Hoops Summit, after it was assumed he was going to be ineffective because of injury.

Any new info on this guy? If he is fully healthy or will be, where does/will his draft stock stand? Has he fallen out of the 1st round discussion for '08 and '09?

[jwfish6]

finally got some decent minutes this week with 16 points in 23 minutes...obviously can produce with the minutes...im not sure about his contract but i can almost guarentee he wont be back to red star next season

tripkovic also went off for 29 points...

any chances of gurovic playing with the NT anytime soon?

[DonMonte]

finally got some decent minutes this week with 16 points in 23 minutes...obviously can produce with the minutes...im not sure about his contract but i can almost guarentee he wont be back to red star next season

tripkovic also went off for 29 points...

any chances of gurovic playing with the NT anytime soon?

He has contract for 2 or 3 more seasons with Zvezda and i think he will stay there. He also had 8 rebounds. But he has to start to play more and then we can say if he is on a good way or not.

And yes there is a chance that Gurovic will play for the NT this summer in spain.

[Srle]

I think Aleksandrov will stay in Red Star. Gurovic is leaving next year to Prokom. Also I am not sold on his health. I think thats one of the reason he hasn't played
constant minutes. We will see next year how he is going to fair.

[jwfish6]

Oh, well then the contract hurts. What are the rules about the contract, does that make it next to impossible to leave even if he wanted to?

[Srle]

I think he has two more years left with possibility to leave only for a NBA contract.

[jwfish6]

Huge game tonight with 25 points. It's about time he got some minutes (28). If he plays any less from here on they are crazy.

What do you think about Nikola Maravic (210, 89) from Mega Ishrana. Decent production vs Hemofarm.

[jwfish6]

Why would Aleksandrov be left off the u20 Serbian team? He is practicing with the Senior team and is on the roster for them, but why would they pass up the chance to solidfy their chances of winning gold at u20 and also prohbit the potential domination of Aleksandrov and the resurection of his career?