Aleksandar Pavlovic

Career: Buducnost Podgorica (Serbia-Montenegro-YUBA, 2000-03), Drafted by the Utah Jazz in the first round (19th pick overall) in the 2003 NBA Draft (NBA, Utah Jazz 2003-04), Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-…)

His national team debut (2004 Olympic games11th place) wasn’t one to remember, but the desire to win a medal and establish himself as a national hero remain unchanged. Together with two other Buducnost Podgorica players, Cabarkapa and Vranes he was drafted in 2003. He signed for Utah but was traded to Cleveland after his first season. Changing clubs as a rookie is considered to be a bad recipe for success in the NBA, especially for non-Americans. His physical abilities, explosive first step and quickness are promising, but what is more important is that Obradovic sees potential in him. Without Stojakovic, Pavlovic and Gurovic are the only typical forwards, playing position 3. Amongst the team’s young players, Pavlovic and Krstic are the only ones with any national team experience,