Jan Vesely, PF

Compared by experts to Toni Kukoc, Vesely is a better athlete, an emerging and aggressive scorer in the paint, and uses his length and quickness to score near the basket.

FIBA Europe recently announced Vesely was the winner of the Young Men's Player of the Year award for 2010. The combo forward edged out three-time winner Ricky Rubio of Spain (Minnesota Timberwolves) in both the public and an expert panel vote, in what turned out to be the closest race ever in this category. Players born in 1990 or later were eligible for the award.

The versatility of the all-around forward made him stand out for the impressive Partizan squad that reached last year's Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four. He averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in that competition and posted almost identical numbers with the Belgrade team in the Adriatic League; 8.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Vesely was first featured on the senior national team in EuroBasket 2009 Division A. His exceptional talent became immediately apparent, as the then 19-year-old Czech finished the tournament with 11 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

"I have been following Jan Vesely's progress in the last few years and I have the feeling he'll give us all plenty of reasons to keep a close eye on him for many years to come. He is that rare kind of player that can play in any position, a natural basketball talent" said FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin.

While Partizan struggled in 2010-11 and Vesely's numbers dropped from his previous campaign, he displayed major advancement in his game. As his body matures, his excellent athleticism has been harnessed and he's become a polished scorer even as an incomplete product. He has spent the 2010-11 campaign splitting time between the small forward and power forward spots for Partizan, though he says that he envisions himself as a "power forward" in the NBA.

Donned "the European Blake Griffin" by many, Vesely has had no problem dominating around the basket and has shown much more bounce than any true European in recent memory. Considered to be a lottery pick if he entered the 2010 draft, the forward returned to the European ranks this season.

He is presently under contract until 2013, but has a buyout clause that some forward-needy team in the NBA will actively consider reasonable enough to bring him across the pond to show off his untapped talent in the United States. That team could also let him spend another year on the international circuit in order to further enhance his offensive development.

Unlike most European imports, Vesely has a style that is reminiscent of an American power forward. "I am very dynamic and athletic player," the Partizan standout stated. "They say that I'm one of the best athletes in Europe. I excel in activities such as blocks, primarily gains and dunk. I have undergone intensive work on shooting from long distance and gaming activities based on one on one action." Not one who lacks confidence in his ability, Vesely emphatically states, "I will enter the NBA Draft in 2011 and I believe that I will be picked amongst the top five players taken."

Vesely began competing in organized basketball with the BK Snakes Ostrava (Czech Republic) junior team. He moved to Slovenia for the 2007-08 season, where he was signed by KD Slovan Ljubljana. He later shifted to Serbia for the 2008-09 campaign, joining the BC Partizan Belgrade club and is still playing there.

The forward was part of the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Serbian National Championship teams while competing for BC Partizan Belgrade. He was a main contributor as BC Partizan Belgrade captured the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Serbian National Cup. He was also a member of the 2009 and 2010 Adriatic League champion Partizan Belgrade team.

Vesely previously was a member of the national Czech Republic U-18 and U-16 teams, playing in the 2006 European U-16 Championship. He was also on the national teams that played at the 2007 and 2008 European U-18 Championship.

Positives: Vesely plays within the team concept, making him a nice fit as a combo forward once his game matures fully … Has to improve his core strength, but shows good court quickness for a player his size, along with big hands, long reach and a large wing span to potentially alter shots (once he improves his leaping ability and timing when elevating) … More comfortable scoring around the basket and has success on putbacks and broken plays … Still better with his inside game, but has shown marked improvement as a perimeter shooter the last two years (made just 14.7 percent of his treys two years ago, but after working on a higher and quicker release point, those numbers improved to 31.6 percent in 2009-10 and 31.3 percent in 2010-11) … All-out hustler who has become a crowd favorite for the way he hustles after loose balls and takes charges … Knows how to use his size to his advantage vs. other small forwards, as he can dominate those men with his improved low post game (has made 66.85 percent of his field goals from around the basket, compared to 29.6 percent from the perimeter) … His low post skills have resulted in success scoring in transition and also shows good "hops" on his dunks) … His higher release has resulted in a much more fluid follow-through and his large hands have also been beneficial scoring on catch-and-shoot situations … Might get bounced out of the paint when trying to establish his position vs. NBA big men, but has good lateral quickness and stays low in his stance … Looks comfortable moving without the ball and has a smooth, quick release when handling assignments in transition … Efficient slasher with very good lateral agility, getting down the court on the fast break … Agile for a player his size with good court awareness, especially when working with a point guard on pick-and-roll plays … Has just an adequate vertical leap, but his length leads to blocked shots against perimeter players … Can go above the rim to secure the rebound, but is not good at pushing the opponent out around the paint … Still a work in progress, but showed a better understanding of post offense and is developing a decent touch from six to eight feet from the basket … Best when playing close to the basket and shows good coordination … Gets many of his rebounds on second and third effort (would still like to see more aggression is his game when trying to establish position in the paint) … Not a classic banger, but has the quickness to stay with small forwards … His long wingspan is an asset; is developing a half hook shot.

Negatives: His athleticism and potential are worthy of lottery consideration, but financials might be a roadblock -- Vesely is under contract to Partizan until 2013 and an NBA team must be confident it can buy out his deal before using an early first-round pick to acquire him … Lacks the core strength to withstand the rigors of an NBA schedule and could be more inviting for a team to use a mid-first-round pick on him, with intentions of keeping him in Europe for another season … If his NBA arrival is sooner rather than later, he's best served on a team featuring depth. At present, he's a role player who'd benefit from brief spurts of minutes at both forward spots … Must improve his shooting mechanics from the free throw line, as he is one of the worst performers from the "charity stripe" in this draft (made just 55.4 percent of his free throws during his career and is down to just 47.5 percent this season) … As stated, his core strength is marginal, perhaps the reason for his lack of a "back to the basket" skill game, and even at 240 pounds, his frame looks frail (poor muscle definition) … Not too creative off the dribble and is turnover prone when he tries to keep the ball on the floor for more than a few bounces … Despite his long reach and big wing span, he is not an efficient rebounder (3.49 rebounds per game for his career) and has to develop better aggression under the boards and establishing position underneath (very hesitant operating on the block, failing to prevent the centers and power forwards from pushing him around at will) … Gets bounced out of the paint often by the more physical big men and seems slow of foot when he has to move out on the perimeter to defend … Lacks a strong offensive game, getting most of his points on put-backs and broken plays … Marginal passer, as he seems to lack vision, especially when trying the kick the ball out vs. a pressure defense … Predictable shooter who favors his left side too much and when forced to fade back, he gets off-balance attempting a mid-range jumper.

Compares To: TONI KUKOC, ex-NBA -- An NBA team could be rewarded for its patience if willing to wait for Vesely's game to develop in the Euro Leagues for another year. Like Kukoc, he might be better served coming off the bench as a combo forward. Both his offensive skills and defensive game are still developing and will be greatly enhanced when he adds needed core strength. He is a big, mobile and quick player with nimble feet who just needs great coaching to unearth his hidden talents.

--Dave Te' Thomas

Vesely appeared in a total of 51 games (as of May 10), recording 524 points (10.28 points per game) behind 197-of-346 field goals (56.9 percent) that included 26-of-83 treys (31.3 percent) while making just 104-of-219 free throws (47.5 percent) … snared 224 rebounds (4.39 rebounds per game) with 54 steals, 38 blocked shots and 69 assists (1.35 assists per game) … In fifteen games in the Euroleague, the combo forward averaged 10.13 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.27 steals per game, scoring in double figures seven times … In his most recent Euroleague contest, he tallied 23 points on 7-of-8 field goals, grabbing six rebounds in 28 minutes vs. Efes Pilsen … Appeared in 26 Adriatic Leaguer games, scoring 267 points (10.27 points per game) with 114 rebounds (4.38 rebounds per game) and 33 assists, hitting double figures in thirteen contests, including a best of 21 points vs. Cibona and had eight boards with 13 points vs. Siroki TT … Played in ten Serbia League clashes, as he generated 105 points (10.5 points per game), 56 rebounds (5.6 rebounds per game) and 20 assists … His most notable Serbia League game came vs. Mega Vizura, putting in nine field goals for 21 points to go with eight boards in 27 minutes on the court.

Vesely registered 68 total games, compiling a career-best 598 points (8.79 points per game) to go with 252 rebounds (3.71 rebounds per game), 84 assists (1.24 assists per game), 32 blocks and 58 steals … Scored in double figures 27 times, including a season-best 27 points on 11-of-12 field goals, adding six rebounds in 24 minutes vs. Olimpija … Had a season-high 15 rebounds and 13 points vs. Regal Barca in Serbia League action.

Vesely saw action in 38 games, recording 240 points (6.32 points per game), 139 rebounds (3.66 rebounds per game), 26 assists, ten blocked shots and 26 steals.

In 43 games with the parent Partizan club, Vesely accounted for averages of 4.7 points (202), 1.93 rebounds (83), 0.33 assists (14), 0.21 blocks (9) and 0.35 steals (15) per game.

JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM

Vesely began competing in organized basketball with the BK Snakes Ostrava (Czech Republic) junior team … Was also a member of the national Czech Republic U-18 and U-16 teams, playing in the 2006 European U-16 Championship … Contributed on the national teams that played at the 2007 and 2008 European U-18 Championship.

Vesely appeared in a total of 200 games during Euroleague, European Championship, Adriatic League and Serbia League competition, amassing 1,564 points (7.82 points per game) … Hit on 573-of-995 field goals (57.6 percent), including 73-of-247 (29.6 percent) from 3-point range … Also connected on 346-of-625 free throws (55.4 percent) … Grabbed 698 rebounds (3.49 rebounds per game), as he blocked 89 shots, had 193 assists (0.97 assists per game) and recorded 153 steals (0.77 steals per game).

Vesely was born on 4/24/90 in Moravska Ostrava, Czech Republic.