After the Nets acquired Tornike Shengelia, the 54th pick in last month’s NBA Draft, in a draft-night trade with the Sixers, general manager Billy King said he expected Shengelia would remain overseas next season.
But the 6-foot-9 forward asked to play on the Nets’ Summer League team, and he has been turning heads ever since practice began on Thursday.
“He’s been one of the stars of our camp,” coach Avery Johnson said after yesterday’s practice. “Arguably one of the top three guys of this camp. It’ll be great to see him play against some other players.”
Shengelia, a native of the country of Georgia, has stood out against his teammates on the Summer League team, which will play five games this week in Orlando, Fla., beginning tomorrow against the Magic. He’s capable of playing both forward spots, and has been active on both ends of the floor in practice, repeatedly grabbing offensive rebounds and guarding perimeter players on defense.
“I’ve done my best [so far],” Shengelia said after Friday’s practice. “I’m not satisfied. … I want to get better.”
Shengelia also has showed off his athleticism, as well. On one play in yesterday’s scrimmage, Shengelia stole a pass intended for Edwin Ubiles, who he was defending on the perimeter, then dribbled the ball the length of the court before slamming it home with his left hand.
“We’ve used him at some three, we’ve used him at some four,” Johnson said. “He played exclusively three today.
“If he can be a 6-foot-9 [small forward] with his athleticism, with the way he can shoot the ball, with the way he can come off screens and the way he can pass, that increases his stock.”
Shengelia had another highlight-reel play in Friday’s practice, when he went up and grabbed an alley-oop pass from point guard Taurean Green in the open court and slammed it home.
Green and Shengelia have played together previously, as both are members of the Georgian National Team and played in the 2010 European Championships together. At the time, Shengelia was still 18 years old, but Green could see the potential he possessed.
“I knew he was young, but I’ve see film on him over the past couple years, and he’s gotten better,” said Green, who was the point guard on Florida’s back-to-back NCAA title teams in 2006 and 2007. “He’s a hard worker.
“He’s kind of a little raw … but he’s willing to work, and he’ll get better each year.”
Shengelia pushed to make the Summer League roster because he wanted to prove to the Nets he’s ready to come over this year, as opposed to being stashed in Europe for at least another season. After making such a strong first impression, his goal hasn’t changed.
“For right now, my goal is to stay here this year,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’d be disappointed [if I don’t].
“I know that if this year’s not the year, I’m gonna do everything to come next year. But I’d really love to stay here this year.”