Zim’s Chikoko misses out
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Sunday, 30 June 2013 00:00
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Tinashe Kusema Deputy Sports EditorZimbabwe’s fast-rising basketball protégé Vitalis Chikoko last week narrowly missed out on being drafted by National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise. The 22-year-old German-based centre was favourite to be a second pick of the Timberwolves during the NBA Draft held at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York. However, it didn’t go
according to plan for Chikoko with the player’s agent, Peter Mubanda, revealing that although the Minnesota Timberwolves had overlooked the Zimbabwean, the franchise have not shut the door on him.
“The NBA recently held its 2013 draft and the possibility of Chikoko being taken in the second round was in the air,” said Mubanda.
This chance was a result of Chikoko attending the recent NBA Euro Camp, which was held in Treviso, Italy, from June 8 to10.
“At this camp, reserved for the top prospects playing in Europe, Chikoko was trained and coached by several NBA coaches, in particular Kelvin Sampson, who were impressed and left many believing he was a shoe-in,” he said.
Mubanda also noted that despite Chikoko not making the grade this year, there was enough positive feedback to warrant another go. “So though it would have been great for Chikoko to be drafted, it is more important for him to continue with his tremendous development and continue to improve on those key areas that will one day see him land a spot on one of the NBA team rosters,” he said
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the 30 teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) can pick players who are eligible and wish to join the league.
These players are usually amateur US college players, although international players are also eligible to be drafted.
College players who have finished their four-year college eligibility are automatically eligible for selection, while the under-class men have to declare their eligibility and give up their remaining college eligibility.
International players who are at least 22 years old are automatically eligible for selection, while the players younger than 22 have to declare their eligibility.
Players who are not automatically eligible but have declared their eligibility are often called “early entrants” or “early-entry candidates”. The draft usually takes place at the end of June, during the NBA off-season.
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according to plan for Chikoko with the player’s agent, Peter Mubanda, revealing that although the Minnesota Timberwolves had overlooked the Zimbabwean, the franchise have not shut the door on him.
“The NBA recently held its 2013 draft and the possibility of Chikoko being taken in the second round was in the air,” said Mubanda.
This chance was a result of Chikoko attending the recent NBA Euro Camp, which was held in Treviso, Italy, from June 8 to10.
“At this camp, reserved for the top prospects playing in Europe, Chikoko was trained and coached by several NBA coaches, in particular Kelvin Sampson, who were impressed and left many believing he was a shoe-in,” he said.
Mubanda also noted that despite Chikoko not making the grade this year, there was enough positive feedback to warrant another go. “So though it would have been great for Chikoko to be drafted, it is more important for him to continue with his tremendous development and continue to improve on those key areas that will one day see him land a spot on one of the NBA team rosters,” he said
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the 30 teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) can pick players who are eligible and wish to join the league.
These players are usually amateur US college players, although international players are also eligible to be drafted.
College players who have finished their four-year college eligibility are automatically eligible for selection, while the under-class men have to declare their eligibility and give up their remaining college eligibility.
International players who are at least 22 years old are automatically eligible for selection, while the players younger than 22 have to declare their eligibility.
Players who are not automatically eligible but have declared their eligibility are often called “early entrants” or “early-entry candidates”. The draft usually takes place at the end of June, during the NBA off-season.
// View the discussion thread. blog comments powered by DISQUS back to top
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