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Scouting Reports

Iakovos Tsakalidis
School: Greece Class: N/A
Height: 7'2" Weight: 220
Position: Center

Stats (Provided by JazzyJ)

                  G  MIN  FG  FGA  3P 3PA  FT FTA  REB  PF AST  TO BLK STL  PTS
96-97 AEK         1   13   1    2   0   0   2   2    4 ...   0   0 ...   0    4
97-98 AEK        18  336  35   63   0   0  24  43  101 ...   4  31 ...   7   94
98-99 AEK        24  515  62  119   0   0  35  55  143 ...   5  30 ...   4  159
99-00 AEK        22  563  73  123   0   0  57 103  153 ...  14  40 ...   6  203
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS           64 1414 170  305   0   0 116 201  397 ...  23 101 ...  17  456

                  MIN   FG%   3P%   FT%  RPG  APG  TPG  BPG  SPG   PPG
96-97 AEK        13.0  50.0   0.0 100.0  4.0  0.0  0.0  ...  0.0   4.0
97-98 AEK        18.7  55.6   0.0  55.8  5.6  0.2  1.7  ...  0.4   5.2
98-99 AEK        21.5  52.1   0.0  63.6  6.0  0.2  1.3  ...  0.2   6.6
99-00 AEK        25.6  59.3   0.0  55.3  7.0  0.6  1.8  ...  0.3   9.2
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TOTALS           22.1  55.7   0.0  57.7  6.2  0.4  1.6  ...  0.3   7.1

Tsakilidis is a mystery.  I must confess to never having seen the guy play, but I'll tell you what I've heard. Tsakilidis is BIG.  He's a legit 7'2 and from many accounts weighs about 285.  There are discrepancies in every evaluation of Tsakilidis, but the most recent reports I've read list him at 285. Tsakilidis is also apparently a good defender and rebounder.  With that size and a defensive presence, it's easy to see why so many teams are excited about Tsakilidis. The biggest concern about Tsakilidis is his contract with his European team.  There are differing opinions as to whether it can be bought out. Still, whichever team picks him will have a prize waiting. I expect him to be a top 15 pick. If a team is less concerned about his contract situation, he could rise very far in this draft.

The mystery of the "Big Greek" continues.  There is now specultion that he is in fact Russian and that he doctored documents that made his age less and also changed his name (which may really be Tsakalov).  This is all very strange and Tsakilidis (Tsakalov?) is now a true wild card in this draft. Pick him at your own risk!

Scout: Matthew Armstrong


"Kovie" is the top European prospect in this draft and has confirmed he'll play in Chicago. Currently among the suspected lottery picks in this year's draft, he has the game many scouts believe will carry him to a long and successful NBA career. Limited offensively to inside-the-paint moves, Tsakalidis is a strong force that rebounds well, blocks the occasional shot and can deflect many a drive to the basket. His foot speed is fine and his mobility and fluidity carry him well. A terrific low-post player at both ends, the only question about Tsakalidis is his endurance, a point that could be dispelled in Chicago.

Scout: leon god