It looks increasingly likely that 18-year-old giant Pavel Podzokline will be snapped up before the Knicks pick at No. 9 in next Thursday's NBA Draft.

One medical issue could surface with the 7-foot-5, 300-pound Russian tank who worked out Friday for the Knicks, though it's not likely to hurt his rising stock.

Podzokline was tested for a pituitary-gland disorder, according to sources, during the Chicago pre-draft camp two weeks ago. Former Nets center Gheorghe Muresan had a pituitary disorder that caused him to grow to 7-foot-7 and may have led to career-ending back and ankle problems. Muresan's parents were 5-9 and 5-7, respectively.

According to sources, the Russian could be a candidate because his parents weren't especially tall (6-2, 5-8) and he grew 7 inches in a three-year span.

Sources said even if he has the disorder, it's hardly comparable to Muresan because the diagnosis would have come four years earlier and can be treated with no long-term side effect.