The New Jersey Nets had an eventful, if not franchise-defining, 2012 NBA Draft on Thursday night, choosing Ilkan Karaman of Turkey with their second-round pick from Miami (No. 57 overall) and acquiring two additional second-rounders to select Tyshawn Taylor of Kansas (No. 41 overall) and Tornike Shengalia from the Republic of Georgia (No. 54).
The SB Nation blog Nets Daily explains a little more about the two foreign selections, both of whom are likely to remain overseas for at least a year or two to develop.
Shengelia has been a member of the Republic of Georgia's National Team since 2008. He averaged 8.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 18.4 minutes in 20 Belgium League games and helped his team qualify for Euroleague play. In the Euroleague, he posted 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds during nine games. Shengelia represented the Republic of Georgia at 2011 Eurobasket, averaging 8.8 points and 4.6 boards for the Senior National Team where he was teamed with Zaza Pachulia, who sat next to him at the Draft.
Karaman is from Istanbul, Turkey and played for Galatasaray and Pinar Karşıyaka of the Turkish League. He averaged 10.7 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. When Billy King flew to Turkey during the lockout to watch Deron Williams play, he saw Karaman put up 13 points on 6 for 8 shooting and grab 8 rebounds.
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