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NBA gets ready to rob the cradle in upcoming draft

On the day after his 18th birthday, Sofoklis Schortsanitis put his impressively large body on display Monday for the New York Knicks in a tryout that wouldn't have been possible a year ago.

Schortsanitis is the youngest beneficiary of a deal struck between the league and the players' union in February, with the NBA dropping its opposition to players who turned 18 in the 45 days preceding the draft from being eligible.

"The change in the rules was something that gave me an advantage, but it doesn't mean that it's right," said Schortsanitis, who was dubbed "Baby Shaq" last season while playing for Iraklis in the Greek League. "I think they want kids to go to college."

The first pick in Thursday night's draft will be a recent high school graduate, LeBron James of Akron, Ohio, who will be chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Our tickets sales are up dramatically," vice president of marketing Tad Carper said.

All but certain to be drafted second overall is a 2.14m Serb, Darko Milicic, who turned 18 last week. The third pick is expected to be Syracuse University freshman Carmelo Anthony, who is the oldest of the expected top three picks. He turned 19 less than a month ago.

"I don't think we've ever felt as much excitement about a crop of new players coming in," deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.

Despite the buzz surrounding the three teens, the NBA's public stance is that it would prefer a minimum age requirement of 20. Granik and commissioner David Stern reiterated that position during the NBA Finals.

"It's really about ... those preteens who think that the road to the NBA is a road to riches, and a certainty, when in fact it may be the least certain thing in their lives," Stern said Monday by telephone.

Schortsanitis, a muscular 115kg, measured 2.04m without sneakers as the Knicks brought him in for a second workout. When the half-Greek, half-Cameroonian teenager first emerged on the international basketball radar last fall, he was reputed to be 2.11m.

He hopes to be drafted in the first round because it guarantees him a three-year deal. There were six international players taken in the first round a year ago, 11 more in the second round.

This year, those numbers could be reversed based upon many of the mock drafts circulating the Internet. Another 17 international players are eligible, along with 29 high school players and college underclassmen.

Schortsanitis comes from a European basketball culture in which the most promising young players turn professional in their early teens.

Schortsanitis, who became a pro at 14, agrees that an age restriction of 20 might be a good thing -- although it's not stopping him from pursuing an NBA career. Scouting reports have praised his strength, footwork and speed, though even he admits his jump shot is not NBA-caliber.
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