April 2020 Basketball Wiretap

Aleksej Pokusevski Declares For 2020 NBA Draft

Apr 24, 2020 4:49 PM

Aleksej Pokusevski has submitted paperwork to make himself eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft.

Pokusevski is the No. 27 prospect in the ESPN Top 100. Pokusevski is over seven feet tall but plays on the perimeter.

Pokusevski is currently the youngest player eligible for the draft, not turning 19 until Dec. 26.

Pokusevski plays for Olympiacos, who were relegated to the second division.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos, NBA, International, International Teams

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Deni Avdija Declares For 2020 NBA Draft

Apr 16, 2020 11:05 AM

Deni Avdija has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.

"First of all, the NBA is the best league in the world. There is a lot to learn over there and a lot of experience there," Avdija said. "It's going to be great to take my game to the next level."

Avdija is the No. 5 rated prospect in the draft, according to ESPN. Avdija plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv and is averaging 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19 minutes per game.

Avdija declined to make comparisons between himself and any potential NBA opponents or teammates.

"Listen, I'll tell you honestly, I don't like to be compared to anybody," he told Get Up. "I think each player has his own path and each player has his own skills and things he does good. And I think I just want to be the best Deni I can be. I just don't want people to compare me to anybody. I respect everybody, but I just want to be me."


Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Deni Avdija, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, International Teams

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Yam Madar Declares For 2020 NBA Draft

Apr 15, 2020 3:50 PM

Yam Madar has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.

Madar is a potential second round pick.

Madar is averaging 8.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 21 games this season for Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Yam Madar, Hapoel Tel Aviv, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, International Teams

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Georgios Kalaitzakis Declares For 2020 NBA Draft

Apr 11, 2020 11:34 AM

Georgios Kalaitzakis has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.

Kalaitzakis is the No. 96 rated prospect by ESPN and plays in Lithuania for Nevezis.

Kalaitzakis led the U20 European Championship in scoring this past summer at 19.7 points per game.

"I am currently in Thessaloniki with my family," Kalaitzakis wrote ESPN. "Unfortunately, the season in Lithuania was one of the first to be canceled, and we made it home just in time before the travel restrictions. I'm working out at home every day and spending quality time with my family, as we don't get to do this often. We have a treadmill, some weights and a hoop at home, so I use these to stay in shape and work on my body as much as I can given the circumstances."

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Georgios Kalaitzakis, Kedainiai Nevezis, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, International Teams

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LaMelo Ball Purchases Illawarra Hawks Of Australian NBL

Apr 2, 2020 2:54 PM

LaMelo Ball and his manager, Jermaine Jackson, have purchased the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian NBL.

"We own the team," Jackson said. "It's a done deal."

No financial details were revealed, and the team has not commented on the sale.

Ball signed with the club in August as part of the league's Next Stars program.

Ball will likely be a top-5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra, NBA, International, International Teams

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