Day 8 Workouts: Fazekas, Cook, Belinelli, and Zabelin

by Matt McQueeny, NJNets.com

Nick Fazekas from the University of Nevada averaged at least 20 points a game over his past three season and at least 10 rebounds over his past two. The 6’11” forward has soft hands – typically the only instance where soft and big man can be in the same sentence and it’s a good thing– and a knack for scoring around the hoop. Playing along side Jason Kidd would most definitely be a dream situation for a player with these attributes.

Well, Fazekas thinks that partnership could go both ways.

Said the senior, with a touch of jest, “I think I could boost his assists by about maybe two, three, four more.”

The possible first-rounder was on hand for workouts in East Rutherford today, along with Daequan Cook of Ohio State, Marco Belinelli of Italy, and Artem Zabelin of Russia.

“He has such great poise down low when he catches the ball with his back to the basket,” Said Nets General Manager Ed Stefanski of Fazekas.

“He can score down low. He probably has the best hands of anyone we have seen come through this gym, catches everything. Now, he’s not athletic like these other guys but can he catch the basketball and put it in. He just has that knack around there.”

Fazekas admits that he is “not the most athletic” but feels he is ready right now to bring scoring and rebounding to a NBA team. And while he played for a so called mid-major college in the Western Athletic Conference, his numbers cannot be denied.

“The body of work you do on the kid, he gets 20 and 10 every night,” said Stefanski. “And you say wow, he’s not a high-riser, or doesn’t get over, but he scores the ball…The length is there. He has that great knack or timing to get his shot off.”

The 20 year old Daequan Cook has played just one season for Ohio State; the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year scored 9.8 points per game in his freshman year.

Cook has until Monday to make his decision of whether to go back and gain more experience in college or jump into the draft and try to capitalize on a freshman run to the NCAA National Championship game. He still maintains eligibility – “I’m agent-free,” pronounced Cook – but said he would likely sign with Mike Conley Sr. if he were to officially enter the draft.

“He’s a good athlete, a good shooter, puts the ball on the floor, he’s a good player,” said Stefanski.

Cook has also worked out for the Rockets, Suns, Lakers, Clippers, Supersonics, and Wizards.

Today was the first workout in the United States for the Italian Marco Belinelli, who flew in yesterday. His athleticism seemed to be a surprise.

Stefanski said that the 6’5” guard was “more athletic than I thought, has good size as a two man…Athletic, good shooter.”

“A team that would need a guy who can shoot the ball that has a big man,” is a perfect landing place for Belinelli, according to Stefanski.

“I could see where someone could definitely consider him. He’s more athletic than what I saw when I went overseas to see him a couple of times. He didn’t show the athleticism he showed today.”

Thinking stateside for early comparisons, a more athletic Jason Kapono was brought up. Belinelli brought up Kyle Korver for comparison. He said he needs to get stronger and be more physical, even admitting that he is currently “too little for the NBA.”

Artem Zabelin is a 19 year old, seven footer out of Russia. Stefanski described the big man as a “much better shooter that you would think for that size, good skills.”

“The kid looked pretty good for a 7’1” guy with mobility. Needs a body; he doesn’t have the girth that we have.”

Workouts continue tomorrow with Bigs Aaron Gray of Pittsburgh and Herbert Hill of Providence, and 6’2” guard from Marist, Jared Jordan.

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