George O'Brien
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Toronto Star: Chiriaev File
Wed, January 28, 2004
The Chiriaev File
By JASON PAUL
St. Thomas Aquinas' 7-foot-1 basketball star Ivan Chiriaev of Oakville is being pegged as a possible lottery pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Just 19, Chiriaev, who moved to Canada from Russia in December 2002, is considering bypassing a college career.
This is one in a series of updates on Chiriaev's quest to become the first Canadian-based high school graduate to make the jump straight to the NBA.
Twenty NBA teams already have travelled to Ontario to watch Chiriaev play. Four teams with potential lottery picks have seen him play almost five times each in the past month alone.
At the Walkerton Invitational earlier in the month, where Chiriaev won MVP honours, Utah, Memphis, the L.A. Clippers, Milwaukee and the new Charlotte team watched him hit 16 three-pointers in the tournament. A few NBA teams have made subtle inquiries if he'd make a commitment to them if selected and not attend any NBA draft camps.
One NBA scout said there's no 7-footer in the world who might be drafted with his skill level. Another said he has the potential to be in an NBA rotation next year based on his passing and shooting.
On the college front, Syracuse, Memphis and Iowa State have been most visible in Chiriaev's recruiting. Florida, Kentucky and LSU are also in the mix.
Chiriaev, who is on a 5,000-calorie/day diet and has bulked up to 245 pounds, is in action again at next weekend's Purple And Silver Classic in Burlington.
Wed, January 28, 2004
The Chiriaev File
By JASON PAUL
St. Thomas Aquinas' 7-foot-1 basketball star Ivan Chiriaev of Oakville is being pegged as a possible lottery pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Just 19, Chiriaev, who moved to Canada from Russia in December 2002, is considering bypassing a college career.
This is one in a series of updates on Chiriaev's quest to become the first Canadian-based high school graduate to make the jump straight to the NBA.
Twenty NBA teams already have travelled to Ontario to watch Chiriaev play. Four teams with potential lottery picks have seen him play almost five times each in the past month alone.
At the Walkerton Invitational earlier in the month, where Chiriaev won MVP honours, Utah, Memphis, the L.A. Clippers, Milwaukee and the new Charlotte team watched him hit 16 three-pointers in the tournament. A few NBA teams have made subtle inquiries if he'd make a commitment to them if selected and not attend any NBA draft camps.
One NBA scout said there's no 7-footer in the world who might be drafted with his skill level. Another said he has the potential to be in an NBA rotation next year based on his passing and shooting.
On the college front, Syracuse, Memphis and Iowa State have been most visible in Chiriaev's recruiting. Florida, Kentucky and LSU are also in the mix.
Chiriaev, who is on a 5,000-calorie/day diet and has bulked up to 245 pounds, is in action again at next weekend's Purple And Silver Classic in Burlington.