2002: Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Denver Nuggets, 5th Pick
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Don’t remember him? It’s ok, you shouldn’t… In the search for “the next Dirk Nowitzki,“ Nikoloz Tskitishvili almost single-handedly set things back for European prospects hoping to play in the NBA for years. Mike D’Antoni, who was a scout for the Denver Nuggets at the time, scouted “Skita” and said the following of him: “His skills are off the charts… he could be something special.”
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So, in a 2002 NBA Draft that featured Amar’e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, and Caron Butler, the Nuggets took Tskitishvili with the 5th overall pick. Less than three seasons after being taken, the Nuggets traded away Tskitishvili, after he averaged 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and shot 30 percent from the field in 143 total games.
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