The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed the No. 17 pick in the 2020 NBA draft to his rookie contract.
Aleksej Pokusevski, whose draft rights were traded to the Thunder from the Minnesota Timberwolves, agreed to his contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Pokusevski, who turns 19 Dec. 26, has professional experience with Olympiacos B in the second division of the Greek league.
Last season, he averaged 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals over 22.6 minutes per game.
Pokusevski has a wide range of potential with his talent. Listed at seven feet tall, he can pass like a guard and defend wings. The Thunder will be able to test him in different scenarios, and if all unfolds well, he could be a unique talent in the NBA.
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That was the thought process behind trading the No. 25 and 28 picks and Ricky Rubio to acquire his rights from the Timberwolves.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault spoke about Pokusevski on Dec. 1.
“We’re just not going to rush to any conclusions with a player like him. As young as he is, his game can go in a lot of different directions,” Daigneault said. “He’ll be in camp and he’ll go through the drills, and compete and learn, and we’ll figure out where his starting point is.”
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