From Insider:
The line: 6-11, 235, 22 years old
Pronunciation Zarko Cha-bahk-ah-pa
The stats: 14.6 ppg on 68 percent shooting and 39 percent 3-point shooting
NBA comparison: A softer Keith Van Horn
The skinny: Cabarkapa is another versatile versatile athlete who plays three positions in Europe. He's an excellent outside shooter and a superb passer. However, teams aren't sure he's capable of pulling that off in the NBA, feeling he's a little one dimensional. Despite his size, he rarely plays with his back to the basket. He's not nearly as comfortable putting the ball on the floor and taking it to the hole. And he needs to get stronger and prove to teams he can take some contact in the paint.
The context: Cabarkpa played for Buducnost in Montenegro, a Euroleague and YUBA league team. He's had a major role on his team the past two years. Buducnost, however, was in complete disarray all year. The ownership teetered on the verge of bankruptcy, players weren't paid for months at a time, and the upheaval was tremendous. The team went through coach after coach, and no one saw regular playing time. This was supposed to be Cabarkapa's big year; he was the team's one true star, and after playing on the gold-medal-winning Yugoslavian national team in Indianapolis, many felt it was time for Cabarkapa to bust out. Instead, he had a so-so year, struggling at times to be anything other than the guy your guard kicks out to for the open jumper. But, toward the very end of the season, Cabarkapa played some of the best basketball of his career in front of a slew of NBA scouts.
The kitchen sink: Another teammate, Aleksandar Pavlovic, may have stolen much of Cabarkapa's thunder early on. This winter, teams traveled to Montenegro to see Cabarkapa, but instead watched Pavlovic light it up. Toward the end of the season, the roles were reversed and scouts watched Cabarkapa play well while Pavlovic toiled on the bench. Cabarkapa went through two NBA workouts -- with the Suns and Lakers -- and then mysteriously returned to Serbia. Many feel he has a promise from either the Suns or Lakers. However, his representatives claim he returned home to be with his sick mother. A surprising invite to the green room, where only the top 15 or so players in the draft get to sit, really secured his status as one of the top picks in the draft.
Where will he go? The Warriors are taking a look at No. 11, so are the Celtics at No. 16, but most likely he falls to Phoenix at No. 17.
A softer Keith Van Horn? Heck no I don't want him. Even if that comparison is not true, he's done something to warrant the comparison.
I think the sleepers are Baby Shaq and Badiane.
The line: 6-11, 235, 22 years old
Pronunciation Zarko Cha-bahk-ah-pa
The stats: 14.6 ppg on 68 percent shooting and 39 percent 3-point shooting
NBA comparison: A softer Keith Van Horn
The skinny: Cabarkapa is another versatile versatile athlete who plays three positions in Europe. He's an excellent outside shooter and a superb passer. However, teams aren't sure he's capable of pulling that off in the NBA, feeling he's a little one dimensional. Despite his size, he rarely plays with his back to the basket. He's not nearly as comfortable putting the ball on the floor and taking it to the hole. And he needs to get stronger and prove to teams he can take some contact in the paint.
The context: Cabarkpa played for Buducnost in Montenegro, a Euroleague and YUBA league team. He's had a major role on his team the past two years. Buducnost, however, was in complete disarray all year. The ownership teetered on the verge of bankruptcy, players weren't paid for months at a time, and the upheaval was tremendous. The team went through coach after coach, and no one saw regular playing time. This was supposed to be Cabarkapa's big year; he was the team's one true star, and after playing on the gold-medal-winning Yugoslavian national team in Indianapolis, many felt it was time for Cabarkapa to bust out. Instead, he had a so-so year, struggling at times to be anything other than the guy your guard kicks out to for the open jumper. But, toward the very end of the season, Cabarkapa played some of the best basketball of his career in front of a slew of NBA scouts.
The kitchen sink: Another teammate, Aleksandar Pavlovic, may have stolen much of Cabarkapa's thunder early on. This winter, teams traveled to Montenegro to see Cabarkapa, but instead watched Pavlovic light it up. Toward the end of the season, the roles were reversed and scouts watched Cabarkapa play well while Pavlovic toiled on the bench. Cabarkapa went through two NBA workouts -- with the Suns and Lakers -- and then mysteriously returned to Serbia. Many feel he has a promise from either the Suns or Lakers. However, his representatives claim he returned home to be with his sick mother. A surprising invite to the green room, where only the top 15 or so players in the draft get to sit, really secured his status as one of the top picks in the draft.
Where will he go? The Warriors are taking a look at No. 11, so are the Celtics at No. 16, but most likely he falls to Phoenix at No. 17.
A softer Keith Van Horn? Heck no I don't want him. Even if that comparison is not true, he's done something to warrant the comparison.
I think the sleepers are Baby Shaq and Badiane.
