Small Forward 6 foot 9 inches Serbian born Drazen Zlovaric could be the hidden gem in the 2013 NBA Draft

Serbian born Drazen Zlovaric came over to the United Sates in 2006 to fulfill his childhood dream to one day play in the NBA. As a child growing up in Serbia he looked up to other players that were from his homeland; Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic were two of them. Zlovaric has hopes that this will be the year he will get his chance to prove himself amongst the greatest players in the world in the NBA.

What started out as a promising future at University of Georgia as a starter at the 3 position was short lived after an injury sidelined him, making him unable to get back to form in time with the short college season. He would transfer to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where Coach Shulman had no grasp for the game and played the 6 foot 9 inch small forward as a center solely based on his height not on his skill set.

Playing a small forward at the center position solely based on his height could hinder any kid’s future, especially if the kid is looking to make it to the NBA. Imagine Ervin “Magic” Johnson not playing the point guard position. I can, because Magic was special and literally could play any position on the floor, but his size and ability to see the floor the point guard position is where Magic excelled and changed the game decades ago. The problem with Drazen was not Drazen but his Coach at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who has since been relieved of his duties, Coach John Shulman.

We did a little research and we found out that Drazen’s college Coach John Shulman at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga insisted his players on defense did not leave their feet to block shots, and if they did they would come out of the game immediately. Coach Shulman wanted his team to be last in block shots. Imagine having a 6 foot 9 player with a 40 inch vertical that is told don’t jump on defense…I know anyone with any basketball sense cannot. But as a 6’ 9” player how high can your stock go up on draft night if you have no block shots.

I watched Drazen workout last week in Atlanta for a few days with NBA All Star and NBA Finals player Dale Davis. Dale Davis played in the NBA from 1992 to 2007 for the Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors. Davis, who is known for his toughness, rebounding skills, blocking shots along with protecting legendary shooter and NBA Commentator Reggie Miller, was working Drazen out last week at Athletic Club Northeast.

I caught up with Dale after the workout and Dale was surprised when Drazen explained he was playing the 5 spot in college. The NBA Legend was kind enough to share with me his perspective on Drazen the Serbian born player. Dale had shared with us that Drazen was extremely athletic, a very good outside shooter with better than average ball handling skills for a big man. Dale Davis said at the 3 spot Drazen could be very good given the chance, provided he plays very aggressive and doesn’t settle for the outside shot, and that he drives whenever he has the chance against his defender.

Darzen left Atlanta for his homeland yesterday in hopes of being invited to play for his country Serbia at the University Games in Kazan. The tournament is invite only and lasts 9 days.

NBA scouts that missed Drazen play in college will be given a chance to see what we all would have been able to see if Coach John Shulman actually played Zlovaric at his natural position the 3, and let him jump. We all know Donnie Walsh who is back in the front office with the Pacers who saw Dale Davis play over his 16 year career, with Dale Davis working him out and his endorsement of Drazen Zlovaric play, maybe Drazen will finally get what he’s worked so hard for his entire life, to play in the NBA.