The new buzz of the NBA Draft, 7-5, 300-pound Russian center Pavel Podkozline, will work out for the Knicks on Friday, according to sources.

The 18-year-old, who played sparingly for Italy's Varese, has skyrocketed into the middle of the lottery after a sensational workout last Friday before 200 NBA personnel men at Chicago's pre-draft camp. Every team was represented, and Knicks GM Scott Layden interviewed the Siberian on Saturday.

With his size and mobility, Podkozline now is projected as a definite top-10 pick and could be gone before the Knicks select at No. 9 on June 26. Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe said he'd even consider taking him at No. 3 over Carmelo Anthony.

Podkozline fell below the radar before Chicago because of his limited play as a backup to Shawnelle Scott. After Scott left their Italian team in February, a new coach took over and benched the Russian.