During the 2010 NBA Draft, the Timberwolves and Wizards brokered a deal that sent the 23rd selection, Trevor Booker, and the 56th overall selection, Hamady N'Diaye, to Washington, with Minnesota receiving the 30th overall selection, Lazar Hayward and the 35th pick, which was used on Serbian forward, Nemanja Bjelica.
Despite his 6-foot-10, 235-pound frame, Bjelica's game is more characteristic of a wing player than his size would indicate. He exhibits a unique skill set on the basketball court that led DraftExpress to describe him as, “essentially a point guard trapped in a power forward’s body.”
The selection of Bjelica was done with the idea that he would remain overseas to continue and develop his game in international competition, but what club the young forward would be playing for next season had yet to be determined.
That answer could be soon forthcoming as The Hoops Market has indicated that Bjelica, who last played for Red Star Belgrade in the Serbia-Superleague and who recently signed a three-year contract with Benetton Treviso, is close to being dealt to Olympiakos of the Greek League.
Bjelica, who signed his deal with Benetton on the day of the draft, will likely be part of the new-look Olympiakos squad next season.
The Greek League club has undergone an extensive makeover in recent months with stars Josh Childress and Linas Kleiza both returning to the NBA and burly center, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, getting close to a deal with rival club Panathinaikos.
With Olympiakos, Bjelica will have the opportunity to develop on one of the most prominent Greek League clubs with the possibility of extended competition in the Euroleague play.
© 2010 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved
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