Mention Nikoloz Tskitishvili to a Denver Nuggets fan and you’ll probably hear a loud groan. The fifth overall pick in 2002, Tskitishvili promised so much, but delivered so little. The seven footer didn’t have an NBA body, and never really developed one before he was out of the league.
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay (China) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nikoloz, now 32, says he’s in the best shape of his career. According to Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post, Tskitishvili believes that he would be prepared to play in the NBA today, if given the chance.
Kiki Vandeweghe, Denver’s GM from 2002, highlights why Tskitishvili was such a highly rated prospect (per Dempsey).
"“Skita was somebody who was very talented — 7-foot, could really shoot and run. Very athletic. Had all of the earmarks physically of somebody who had a chance to be very successful.”"
Nikoloz Tskitishvili had all the skills to play in the NBA. Some guys just don’t make it, whether that be due to mentality, strength or injuries. In Skita’s case, he suffered from all three of those factors. Luckily, this seasons’ star rookie looks like a perfect fit in the NBA.