VITALS: 7-0, 235 Cherkasy (Ukraine) OVERVIEW: Fesenko originally was an early entry candidate for the 2006 draft before withdrawing his name from consideration. Only 20 years old, he has played professionally in his native Ukraine, starting his career in the Higher League before advancing to the Ukraine SuperLeague for 2004-05 and the first half of 2005-06 season. Fesenko played with SC Mariupol during the second half of 2005-06 and with Cherkasi Mavpi during the 2006-07 campaign. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Late first or early second-round pick. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Chris Kaman COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Daniel Santiago ROLE PROJECTION: Backup center with chance to become a starter in time. POSITIVES: Fesenko is a legitimate 7-footer with an NBA center's build. He is very aggressive and will compete for rebounds in traffic and get his share. He plays like a true center, being very physical at times underneath and trying to dunk most of his opportunities near the basket. He is starting to show the makings of a back-to-the-basket game in the post and he can occasionally knock down a short jumper. While not a terrific shot-blocker, he will challenge shots and has a presence in the lane. SHORTCOMINGS: Fesenko might be a foul magnet when he gets into the NBA - at least initially - since he is used to being able to be very physical on defense. He'll have to learn to play defense more with his feet than with his hands. While he's obviously received some good coaching, there is nobody in the Ukraine who approximates what it would be like to play against a frontline NBA center. Fesenko will have the usual cultural and language adjustments to make as well.
