Career: Pulkovo St. Petersburg (Russia-4th division, 2001-02), Lokomotiv Rostov (Russia-Superleague, 2002-05).

Developing a center takes time but the results can be very rewarding. This is exactly what is happening with Dmitri Sokolov... After starting his career in St. Petersburg, Sokolov arrived in Rostov na Donu as a prospect with size but a very limited offensive game. A member of the national team in every youth categories he showed steady progress year after year making him, today, a legitimate NBA prospect. It was particularly obvious this summer during the Under 20 European championship where he was the starting center for Russia who won the gold medal. Sokolov averaged 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds, controlling the middle for his team... This performance along with an interesting showing in the Superleague (7.3 pts, 4.5 rbds) got him an invitation with the senior team.