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GreekReporter.comSportsGreek Center Georgios Papagiannis Is Sacramento Kings Draft Pick

Greek Center Georgios Papagiannis Is Sacramento Kings Draft Pick [video]

papagiannis1_458_355Sacramento Kings drafted 18-year-old Greek center Georgios Papagiannis with the 13th pick, after trading the rights to eighth pick Marquese Chriss to the Phoenix Suns.

The 7-foot-1 Papagiannis played 21 games with Panathinaikos in the Greek league, averaging 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

According to an Associated Press report, the Kings don’t have an immediate need at the center since they already have All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and last year’s first-round pick Willie Cauley-Stein. The report also says that the Kings picked Papagiannis for his agility, his defense skills and his touch near the basket. However, it says that the Greek player needs seasoning before contributing in the NBA.

Along with Papagiannis, the Kings drafted Kentucky freshman Skal Labissiere, and Syracuse wing player Malachi Richardson.

“We had our guys at the No. 8, but obviously they were picked before. So we made a decision to go down and turn that pick into three more and build our team for the future,” said Kings general manager Vlade Divac.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghW7Zr29Iw4

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