Ellis: Spurs International Prospects

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs International Prospects
Last Update: Mar 2, 2007 5:05 AM

By Kori Ellis
SpursZONE.com

We regularly receive emails here at SpursZONE.com asking questions about the status of the Spurs overseas prospects. The Spurs currently hold the rights to five players who are playing internationally.


Luis Scola
DOB: 4/30/80
Height: 6'9
Postion: PF

The Argentinean was drafted by the Spurs with the 56th overall pick of the 2002 draft. Scola plays for Tau Ceramica in the Spanish League, where he has averaged 17.2 points (61% FG) and 6.9 rebounds in 17 games this year.

For the 2006-07 Euroleague regular season, Scola tallied 16.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 59.0% from the field and 73.6% from the free throw line.

The 26-year-old is currently playing in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament where he has averaged 14.7 points and 5.0 rebounds over three games - all victories for Tau. On Wednesday, Scola scored 13 to move within just seven points of becoming the all-time Euroleague Basketball leading scorer.

The problem with bringing Scola to San Antonio has always been his buyout with his European team. NBA teams are only permitted to pay $500,000 toward an international player's buyout. Therefore, he must negotiate a buyout with his current team and pay the balance of his buyout from his NBA salary. In recent years, Scola's buyout amount was reportedly near $14 million, but that number has apparently been reduced considerably.

Most scouts consider Scola the best power forward in Europe. A terrific back to the basket scorer, Scola has great post moves on the low block.

San Antonio is expected to re-visit the possibility of bringing over Scola again this summer. His current contract with Tau reportedly runs through the 2007-08 season.


Ian Mahinmi
DOB: 11/5/86
Height: 6'10
Postion: PF/C

The young Frenchman was selected by the Spurs with the 28th pick of the 2005 NBA draft. He plays for Pau-Orthez in the French League, where he has averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest this year.

For the 2006-07 Euroleague regular season, Mahinmi averaged only 4.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in just under 12 minutes per game. He shot 66.6% from the field and 78.5% from the line.

He is currently playing in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament where he has seen very little playing time, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds.

Mahinmi is still very raw and gets into foul trouble easily. However his athleticism and defensive-style still make him a viable prospect for the Spurs in a few years.

Hopefully he will again be able to play on the Spurs summer league team this July, so Spurs fans can get a closer look at the 20-year-old bigman. This past summer, Mahinmi averaged 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds while playing on the Spurs team at Rocky Mountain Revue.


Robertas Javtokas
DOB: 03/20/80
Height: 6'10
Postion: C

The Lithuanian center was selected by the Spurs with the 56th overall pick of the 2001 NBA draft.

Less than a year after he was drafted, Javtokas suffered extensive injuries in a motorcycle crash. He was an incredible leaper prior to the accident and has regained most of his athletic ability over the years.

After spending several seasons with Lietuvos Rytas, this summer Javtokas signed with Panathinaikos in the Greek League, where he has averaged 7.6 points and 3.5 rebounds this year.

This season he saw very little playing time in Euroleague action. In 13 Euroleague regular season games with the club, he averaged only 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in eight minutes per contest.

Panathinaikos is also currently playing in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament. However Javtokas has only seen action in one game - scoring five points and pulling down two boards in 12 minutes.


Viktor Sanikidze
DOB: 4/1/86
Height: 6'9
Postion: SF

Selected in the second round of the 2004 draft, Sanikidze, a native of the Republic of Georgia, is currently playing for Baloncesto Estudiantes in Spain.

This season, the 20-year-old has seen very little playing time. In six Spanish League games, he has averaged 2.2 points in 9.5 minutes per contest. In 10 games of EuroCup play, he tallied 2.6 points per game, while hitting 10-of-12 two-pointers but only 2-of-10 three pointers.

The knock on Sanikidze has always been his frail frame and propensity for injury. He still has value to the Spurs, but they’ll need to see improvement out of him soon if he has any hopes of eventually making it to the NBA.


Sergei Karaulov
DOB: 04/15/82
Height: 7'1
Postion: C

Of the five prospects, Karaulov is the longest shot to ever see the NBA. While he’s got great size at 7-foot-1, he still has not seen much playing time overseas.

This season, he has only played in three of Khimky Moscow's 26 games. Karaulov has played for the Spurs in summer leagues in the past, but his talent level leaves a lot to be desired.

http://www.woai.com/content/sports/s...1-c94b6d70ed0b

[Axl Van Dam]

Spurs International Prospects
Last Update: Mar 2, 2007 5:05 AM

By Kori Ellis
SpursZONE.com

We regularly receive emails here at SpursZONE.com asking questions about the status of the Spurs overseas prospects. The Spurs currently hold the rights to five players who are playing internationally.


Luis Scola
DOB: 4/30/80
Height: 6'9
Postion: PF

The Argentinean was drafted by the Spurs with the 56th overall pick of the 2002 draft. Scola plays for Tau Ceramica in the Spanish League, where he has averaged 17.2 points (61% FG) and 6.9 rebounds in 17 games this year.

For the 2006-07 Euroleague regular season, Scola tallied 16.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 59.0% from the field and 73.6% from the free throw line.

The 26-year-old is currently playing in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament where he has averaged 14.7 points and 5.0 rebounds over three games - all victories for Tau. On Wednesday, Scola scored 13 to move within just seven points of becoming the all-time Euroleague Basketball leading scorer.

The problem with bringing Scola to San Antonio has always been his buyout with his European team. NBA teams are only permitted to pay $500,000 toward an international player's buyout. Therefore, he must negotiate a buyout with his current team and pay the balance of his buyout from his NBA salary. In recent years, Scola's buyout amount was reportedly near $14 million, but that number has apparently been reduced considerably.

Most scouts consider Scola the best power forward in Europe. A terrific back to the basket scorer, Scola has great post moves on the low block.

San Antonio is expected to re-visit the possibility of bringing over Scola again this summer. His current contract with Tau reportedly runs through the 2007-08 season.


Ian Mahinmi
DOB: 11/5/86
Height: 6'10
Postion: PF/C

The young Frenchman was selected by the Spurs with the 28th pick of the 2005 NBA draft. He plays for Pau-Orthez in the French League, where he has averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest this year.

For the 2006-07 Euroleague regular season, Mahinmi averaged only 4.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in just under 12 minutes per game. He shot 66.6% from the field and 78.5% from the line.

He is currently playing in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament where he has seen very little playing time, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds.

Mahinmi is still very raw and gets into foul trouble easily. However his athleticism and defensive-style still make him a viable prospect for the Spurs in a few years.

Hopefully he will again be able to play on the Spurs summer league team this July, so Spurs fans can get a closer look at the 20-year-old bigman. This past summer, Mahinmi averaged 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds while playing on the Spurs team at Rocky Mountain Revue.


Robertas Javtokas
DOB: 03/20/80
Height: 6'10
Postion: C

The Lithuanian center was selected by the Spurs with the 56th overall pick of the 2001 NBA draft.

Less than a year after he was drafted, Javtokas suffered extensive injuries in a motorcycle crash. He was an incredible leaper prior to the accident and has regained most of his athletic ability over the years.

After spending several seasons with Lietuvos Rytas, this summer Javtokas signed with Panathinaikos in the Greek League, where he has averaged 7.6 points and 3.5 rebounds this year.

This season he saw very little playing time in Euroleague action. In 13 Euroleague regular season games with the club, he averaged only 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in eight minutes per contest.

Panathinaikos is also currently playing in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament. However Javtokas has only seen action in one game - scoring five points and pulling down two boards in 12 minutes.


Viktor Sanikidze
DOB: 4/1/86
Height: 6'9
Postion: SF

Selected in the second round of the 2004 draft, Sanikidze, a native of the Republic of Georgia, is currently playing for Baloncesto Estudiantes in Spain.

This season, the 20-year-old has seen very little playing time. In six Spanish League games, he has averaged 2.2 points in 9.5 minutes per contest. In 10 games of EuroCup play, he tallied 2.6 points per game, while hitting 10-of-12 two-pointers but only 2-of-10 three pointers.

The knock on Sanikidze has always been his frail frame and propensity for injury. He still has value to the Spurs, but they’ll need to see improvement out of him soon if he has any hopes of eventually making it to the NBA.


Sergei Karaulov
DOB: 04/15/82
Height: 7'1
Postion: C

Of the five prospects, Karaulov is the longest shot to ever see the NBA. While he’s got great size at 7-foot-1, he still has not seen much playing time overseas.

This season, he has only played in three of Khimky Moscow's 26 games. Karaulov has played for the Spurs in summer leagues in the past, but his talent level leaves a lot to be desired.

http://www.woai.com/content/sports/s...1-c94b6d70ed0b

Bring Mahinmi in next season.

[Kori Ellis]

On Wednesday, Scola scored 13 to move within just seven points of becoming the all-time Euroleague Basketball leading scorer.

Scola might be good

[JPB]

Ian started yesterday against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

1:30 into the game, one nice low-post move and... 2 fouls the second one being totally unnecessary.

But I agree he's very interesting physically and defensivly, very active and mobile. That's the first thing I say to myself everytime I see him play. Well..., just after "don't foul"

Nice game by Pau. They lost in the last minutes but played well.

[Kori Ellis]

Ian started yesterday against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

1:30 into the game, one nice low-post move and... 2 fouls the second one being totally unnecessary.

But I agree he's very interesting physically and defensivly, very active and mobile. That's the first thing I say to myself everytime I see him play. Well..., just after "don't foul"

Nice game by Pau. They lost in the last minutes but played well.

Yeah I saw that yesterday he had 4 fouls in 3 minutes

Too bad for Pau that they are 0-3 now.

[JPB]

Yeah I saw that yesterday he had 4 fouls in 3 minutes

Too bad for Pau that they are 0-3 now.

They still have a chance to make the the quarter finals, well..., a slight one.

I didn't see the entire game cos of technical problems. Did your friend play, Kori ?

[BIG IRISH]

Scola wil never, never, be on the SPURS, unless RC and Pop are no longer here.

[JPB]

Bring Mahinmi in next season.

In fact, I'm really wondering if it wouldn't be better for him to come next year. He might not be ready but I think it would be better for him to developp in the US than in europe which may not be made for his game and his physical characteristics.

Problem is, spurs couldn't afford to use a spot for a player who wouldn't really contribute and he wouldn't go in the NBDL.

[mountainballer]

But I agree he's very interesting physically and defensivly, very active and mobile. That's the first thing I say to myself everytime I see him play. Well..., just after "don't foul"

we know that he has all the physical tools. maybe someone should try to explain the basketball rules to him.
I sometimes have the impression, Ian doesn't have the slightest idea, why sometimes a foul is called or not.
he is a bit like Forrest Gump, when he played Football.

btw. Aaron Miles didn't have his best games last night, but still decent.
some weeks ago he was mentioned as a possible FA signing for the Spurs this summer and I support this. he definitly has improved his playmaking and shooting (still not great, but better now), his defense has always been decent.
I think he could develope into a solid back-up PG and would fullfill much of what the Spurs usually ask for. (defense ability, work ethic, leadership, good demeanor)

[JPB]

I think he just can't control his activity while trying to be agressive on defense.

True that Miles shooting % is a bit low for a PG but he's still young and is beginning to improve his job as leading a euroleague team.

[RC's Boss]

I hope we draft a guy fom the NCAA this year.

[RC's Boss]

It's not that I have a problem w/ Eorpleague, but i'm tired of playes being stashed away. If i'm not mistaken, we could have had Varejeo instead of Beno. At least draft some guys that can make an impact.

[Bruno]

he wouldn't go in the NBDL.

Why do you say that ?

Dleague can really be helpfull for Mahinmi in his first year in nba : he won't get playtime with Spurs and Dleague is a a very friendly league for young and raw players.

[Bruno]

and I agree about Miles, he is likely more interesting than players like Conroy. I'm quite sure he is on Spurs radar (Pau is almost Spurs' euro team) : let's hope Spurs will have a roster spot for him and that he won't chose another team over him.

[JPB]

Why do you say that ?

Dleague can really be helpfull for Mahinmi in his first year in nba : he won't get playtime with Spurs and Dleague is a a very friendly league for young and raw players.

I don't think Ian would leave Pau and the euroleague for the NBDL. That would really be a regression. The level on NBDL is to much inferior than the euroleague.

But I admit that, on paper, the earlier he could face US basketball, the better IMO. Learning the game in NBDL could be a solution but again I don't see it happening. I don't see Pau letting him go for the NBDL.

[ArgSpursFan]

Spurs International Prospects
Last Update: Mar 2, 2007 5:05 AM

By Kori Ellis
SpursZONE.com

We regularly receive emails here at SpursZONE.com asking questions about the status of the Spurs overseas prospects. The Spurs currently hold the rights to five players who are playing internationally.


Luis Scola
DOB: 4/30/80
Height: 6'9
Postion: PF

The Argentinean was drafted by the Spurs with the 56th overall pick of the 2002 draft. Scola plays for Tau Ceramica in the Spanish League, where he has averaged 17.2 points (61% FG) and 6.9 rebounds in 17 games this year.

I thought somebody said he was only a good inside scorer but not a good rebounder.At 6.9 he is getting more boards tham the two spurs Centers right now(4.9 and 5.2)
I´ve got the feeling that next year will be Scola´s year to finally come down to S.A,+He´s got a big chance to be the Euroleague MVP and Win the Euroleague with Tau,So after that he won´t have nothing else to proof in Europe.
NBA TIME FOR LUIS BABY!!

[mountainballer]

and I agree about Miles, he is likely more interesting than players like Conroy. I'm quite sure he is on Spurs radar (Pau is almost Spurs' euro team) : let's hope Spurs will have a roster spot for him and that he won't chose another team over him.

assuming that the PG spot will look different next season than this year (Beno will for sure be gone and also Vaughn is a question), there should be a roster spot for a player like Miles. the question will also be, if he signs for the minimum, or if he is trying to get some more from another team. Euro teams will offer him more, after the nice showing this season with Pau.
I can't see the Spurs spend more than the min. on a player like him.

the best scenario is, that the Spurs can somehow get a proven backup PG (in the Duhon/Calderon mold - not that I thought we could get one of them) and sign Miles as the 3rd PG.
(will only happen if Spurs don't draft for example Shakur with their 2nd rounder)

[Bruno]

I don't think Ian would leave Pau and the euroleague for the NBDL.... I don't see Pau letting him go for the NBDL.

Mahinmi won't leave Pau for the Dleague (Dleague is the official name now from the NBDL).

It works like that : Mahinmi signs with Spurs his rookie contract with Spurs and during the season Spurs can send him up to three times to play some game in the Dleague. Nba teams send their young players for some games in Dleague to give them some playtime when they can't get playtime in nba.

Pau won't let him go for the NBDL because he will sign with Spurs.

[Bruno]

the best scenario is, that the Spurs can somehow get a proven backup PG (in the Duhon/Calderon mold - not that I thought we could get one of them) and sign Miles as the 3rd PG.
(will only happen if Spurs don't draft for example Shakur with their 2nd rounder)

Agree.
To me Spurs should have as backup PG a young player with upside (a project) and a solid vet.
This year Beno was the project and Vaughn was the solid vet.
Miles is a project, Spurs will need a solid vet. If they can't find a better solution, I wouldn't mind Vaughn. The edge of Vaughn/Miles (or Vaughn/2nd round pick) as backup PG is that even if it's not a great solution, it's cheap and Spurs could spend money on something more importnat like an athletic wing.

[ArgSpursFan]

Mahinmi won't leave Pau for the Dleague (Dleague is the official name now from the NBDL).

It works like that : Mahinmi signs with Spurs his rookie contract with Spurs and during the season Spurs can send him up to three times to play some game in the Dleague. Nba teams send their young players for some games in Dleague to give them some playtime when they can't get playtime in nba.

Pau won't let him go for the NBDL because he will sign with Spurs.

At his age,and with his actual BBIQs He´d need at least a full year on the Dleague.
He needs to be smarter and stronger to be on the NBA. And that will come with time.

[JPB]

Mahinmi won't leave Pau for the Dleague (Dleague is the official name now from the NBDL).

It works like that : Mahinmi signs with Spurs his rookie contract with Spurs and during the season Spurs can send him up to three times to play some game in the Dleague. Nba teams send their young players for some games in Dleague to give them some playtime when they can't get playtime in nba.

Pau won't let him go for the NBDL because he will sign with Spurs.

C'mon Bruno, I know all that

My point is Pau would not let him leave (or he wouldn't like leaving) knowing he would go in NBDL. Knowing Spurs would send him to the NBDL after they signed him, if you prefer put it this way.

[Mr. Body]

Didn't they bother to examine Mahinmi's basketball IQ when salivating over his potential? He's a nice guy and all, but doesn't seem to understand the game all that well, the amount he fouls.

[Russ]

Looks like the once proud "Foreign Legion theory" has run its course.

[exstatic]

I can't believe this team has squandered away this many draft picks on players of little to no talent. I understand the diamond in the ruff theory but at some point you'd think team needs might actually be addressed in the draft.

Good theory, but that's tough to do when you are drafting 28/56 or 29/58 every year. The reason that most players drafted that late are flameouts is that they languish on the bench and don't develop at all. With a Euro, you keep a roster spot, caproom, and they still play and develop. Even utilizing the Dleague, it's YOUR team's cap that pays him, and you use one of your 13-15 roster spots even when they are "down on the farm".

I also can't believe that you're writing those guys off so easily. Karalauov is a bust, and at this point Javtokas is probably too old, but Ian is still 20, Sanikidze turned all of 21 yesterday, and Scola certainly isn't a bust, just buyout-bound to Tau. By all accounts, he can at least come in and score effectively in the post in the NBA, even if his rebounding is average in Europe.

[Supergirl]

Sounds to me like Luis and Ian are the only two real prospects. ANd considering Luis may never make it over here (and when he does, he'll likely need at least a year to adjust to the NBA) and Ian is sooooooooooo young, they may all turn out to be busts.

I thought Javtokas was more promising than you make him sound...