Suns like Yugoslavian forward

[Tammo29@xxxxxxx]

  Yet another name crawling out of the draft woodwork.
  The Suns have the 17th pick.  
   Every day with these new names appearing out of nowhere the Celtics 
choices at 20 are looking better and better, assuming there has not been any 
prearranged deal with Banks.



Suns eye Yugoslavian forward in draft

John Gambadoro
azcentral.com
Jun. 9, 2003 09:00 AM

 He stands 6-foot-11 inches tall, can shoot the lights out and is a member of 
the Yugoslav National team. And if Zarko Cabarkapa is available when the 17th 
pick in the first round of the June 26 NBA draft comes around, the Phoenix 
Suns will likely jump at him. 

There are several other players the Suns are considering with their only pick 
in this coming draft, but Cabarkapa is the skilled forward they covet. He 
worked out for two days with the Suns in Phoenix and was impressive. He then had 
a stop in Los Angeles to showcase his skills for the Lakers before suddenly 
leaving a lot of teams high and dry to go back to Yugoslavia, claiming a family 
matter. That incident has caused rumors that the Suns are set on selecting 
him. 

The Suns could easily fit Cabarkapa in their rotation. He is a versatile 
22-year old with a long wingspan who can play all three forward positions, but 
most likely will play small forward in the NBA. His versatility makes it very 
possible that he and Shawn Marion could find a lot of time on the floor together. 
He averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 13 games playing for B.C 
Buducnost in the 2002-03 Euroleague season. He shot 48 percent from the field, but 
struggled with his free-throw shooting (66 percent). 

Cabarkapa was a member of the Yugoslav Under-20 National Team and won a gold 
medal at the 2002 World Championships. He has played professionally since 1997 
when he played with B.C Beopetrol. 

With the Suns playing an up-tempo offense, keyed by point guard Stephon 
Marbury, Cabarkapa could fit in well as he has good court vision, good ball 
handling skills and likes to run in the open court. Like most Europeans he could 
probably afford to put on a few pounds if he is going to bang around in the paint. 


Cabarkapa was at the Nike Desert Classic in Phoenix four years ago as an 
18-year-old, but apparently didn't turn any heads. He has improved in each year 
since and has worked himself into the first round of the draft. Early 
predictions had him as a late first-round pick, but his stock is moving up. The Seattle 
Supersonics at No. 14 could take Cabarkapa if one of the point guards they 
covet (Luke Ridnour or Kirk Hinrich) is not there. Phoenix did scout him overseas 
before he came in for his workout.

The Suns have had 14 players in for workouts as of now and more are planned. 
They are expecting to see Sofaklis Schortsianides, who is nicknamed Baby Shaq, 
in the next two weeks. The Suns also liked what they saw out of Brian Cook of 
Illinois in the Chicago camp and consider him an intriguing player. Players 
such as Nick Collison from Kansas, 7-foot native of Poland Maciej Lampe and 
sophomore Mike Sweetney of Georgetown are all players the Suns could have 
interest in, but all three will likely be gone by the time the Suns' selection in the 
first round. If one of those players is still available, it could make things 
interesting for Phoenix. Mississippi State's Mario Austin also looked well in 
a workout in Phoenix, but he would be considered a stretch for the Suns. 
Anderson Varejao, the 6-10 forward from Brazil, could also garner some attention 
from the local team.

The Suns don't have a second-round pick, having traded it along with Samalia 
Samake to the Chicago Bulls for Jake Voskuhl. They also won't be very active 
in free agency, not having the cap room available. They could make a trade, but 
they can't add on salary because they are scheduled to pay a luxury tax next 
season. They still want to sit down with Marbury and work out an extension. 
But for the next two weeks the focus will be on the draft. 

The Suns will have players in and out of America West Arena. Names will come 
up as potential picks. The Suns will attempt to set smoke screens all over the 
NBA so teams don't know who they want to take. But make no mistake, their 
interest in Cabarkapa is real. And if he is on the board when the No. 17 
selection comes up, don't be surprised if David Stern steps to the podium and 
announces Cabarkapa as the newest member of the Phoenix Suns. 




TAM