Sergey Karasev left private interviews in Russia not only confident about a selection in the top 15 of the NBA draft, but also with fresh hope of being a top 10 pick, a league source told RealGM.

Despite his adamant stance over not working out for teams, Karasev met in Russia with seven organizations between the Nos. 9 and 22 picks. Discussions with several teams continued even after the interviews, and the Milwaukee Bucks’ apparent interest has fueled belief that the 19-year-old won’t last beyond the 15th pick.

After an impressive shooting season in Europe, Karasev, the 6-foot-7 swingman, stood out in group settings during the pre-draft process. His camp had been seeking a firm first round guarantee.