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Draft choice hopes to learn English, add to his skills on court
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Jun 27, 2009
CLEVELAND: Cavaliers first-round draft choice Christian Eyenga will never be accused of lacking confidence.
The native of the Congo, who played for CB Prat Juventad of Spain, before being selected with the 30th pick of the first round by Cleveland, suspects that with the aid of a book, he'll be able to understand and speak English in just 100 days.
There's little reason to doubt him. It took him just three months to learn Spanish. If being a quick study transfers to the basketball court, the Cavs very well might have found a diamond in the rough. It wouldn't be the first time such a player came from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Current Los Angeles Laker Didier Ilunga-Mbenga hails from that African nation, as does Dikembe Mutombo. Eyenga said there's a lot of talent in his homeland.
''He's known several players whom he feels could have gotten as far as he has if they had gotten better facilities and more coaching,'' Eyenga said through his interpreter Anicet Lavodrama. ''Most of those players would have benefited from those advantages. They would have gone a lot further — playing either in the U.S. or Europe.''
Eyenga is a guard, so he isn't as physically imposing as those big men from the Congo. He likens his game to that of an Orlando Magic player who inflicted serious harm on the Cavs during the Eastern Conference finals, especially in one area that coach Mike Brown will love to hear.
''He thinks on defense his game is similar to Mickael Pietrus and he thinks given his characteristics he'd be very good at playing defense,'' he said.
The past 24 hours have proved to be a whirlwind for Eyenga. He was genuinely shocked that the Cavs drafted him in the first round. After the magnitude of the situation sunk in, sleep proved difficult to come by as visions of NBA superstars danced in his head. Yes, they included those of recent Cavs acquisition Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James, he said.
What remains unclear right now is Eyenga's immediate future with the Cavaliers. His status, along with fellow draftee Daniel Green, for the team's Summer League team that will play in July remains to be determined.
Right now, it sounds as if he's just looking for an opportunity. When asked how he would describe Shaq in a single word, he said: ''unstoppable.'' As for James? He knows that he could open the doors to the NBA kingdom if he's willing to listen and learn.
''In regard to LeBron, LeBron is a very complete player, a team player,'' he said through Lavodrama. ''He knows how to make his team better and if he gets a chance to be with LeBron he knows he's going to learn a lot from him.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
CLEVELAND: Cavaliers first-round draft choice Christian Eyenga will never be accused of lacking confidence.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 12:43 PM, 06/27/2009
Bad Pick. .I dunno why we didn't pick DaJuan Blair from Pitt. . .C'Mon, Danny Ferry, C'Mon. . .
Posted 01:09 PM, 06/27/2009
Well I think it is a solid pick actually even tho I have never heard of the guy. Why draft a player who is gonna have to sit on the bench most likely. Let him play overseas a few years and develop at a quicker pace and still maintain the rights to him. Danny Ferry has an eye for talent plus it keeps some money free for the near future
barberton, oh
Posted 03:26 PM, 06/27/2009
I wanted Young, Blair or Brown, but after seeing footage and hearing this kid, he has some real talent and a good head on his shoulders - plus he's only 20.
downside: i don't think he plays this year and maybe not in 2010 either.
Old Faithful, WY
Posted 01:06 AM, 06/28/2009
"Danny Ferry has an eye for talent"
uh....suuure he does. outside of varajao name one player ferry has picked that has developed into a major contributor.
also, the cavs are on reload number 3. danny still hasn't gotten it right.
Naples, FL
Posted 09:36 AM, 06/28/2009
As Danny said regarding the pick, the Cavs felt they could have gotten a serviceable NBA player with a more conservative pick but felt they got a talent with a huge upside they could not have gotten with a conservative approach. This is one of the best teams in basketball and the 30th pick in a weak draft would be lucky to even make the roster, let alone contribute in the first year. This is a wise move.
