Anzejs Pasecniks
PF/C|Herbalife Gran Canaria
Coming up next on our Sixers international scouting report is the player whose name may or may not contain every single letter of the alphabet, Anzejs Pasecnicks, who shall be referred to as AP for my sanity. AP is a 7â2â power forward and center who was drafted 25thoverall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. The Magic traded him to the Sixers immediately for OKCâs 2020 first round pick, that is top twenty protected, and if that pick doesnât convey, it will turn into two second round picks. AP signed with Herbalife Gran Canaria back in 2015, starting off on their B team before being promoted to the main squad following the 2016 season. His season prior to the draft saw him appear in 46 games, averaging only 15.5 MPG and putting up 7.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG and .7 BPG. The thing that caught the attention of scouts was the way he could run in transition and his ability to shoot the ball, posting a .444 3P%.
AP may be the definition of a raw prospect. Having his height and his ability to shoot the ball makes him a huge threat if heâs able to further develop his skills and become more consistent, something heâs struggled to do this season. In 42 games and 17.3 MPG this year, he is averaging 7.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG and .5 BPG while only shooting 20% from three. Seeing a player who is 7â2â only averaging 4 rebounds and less than one block per game is definitely not ideal and shows he has a lot to work on before the Sixers can even think about bringing him over. Along with his working on his defensive game, his offensive game needs to be vastly improved if he wants to avoid being labeled a bust, especially being once compared to fellow Latvian Kristaps Porzingis.
When and if AP ever does come over, he can become a vital bench piece to become a backup big, being able to play the four and the five. Having a 7â2â guy come off the bench and be able to run and hopefully spread the court is something every team could use. It will be interesting to follow APâs development over in Spain.
NBA Player Comparison: Kristaps Porzingis
Photo by: AP Photo/Matt Slocum
