VITALIS Chikoko, the rising German-based Zimbabwean basketball star, will be hoping it’s a case of second time lucky as he is eligible for tomorrow’s 2014 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft in Brooklyn, New York.
DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 22-year-old centre was a favourite to be a second pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA Draft held at the Barclays Centre last year, but did not get any suitors.
He was subsequently invited for workouts with Houston Rockets in the Orlando Pro-Summer League before returning to his Bundesliga side TBB Trier.
Chikoko’s agent Peter Mubanda said although the former Prince Edward High School prodigy was just returning from a minor injury, he had high hopes of him going into this year’s NBA Draft.
“The fact that he was a candidate in last year’s NBA Draft means his name is there for the teams to look at,” Mubanda told NewsDay Sport from his Italy base yesterday.
“So far, no teams have contacted us this year mostly due to the fact that he played injured and had a small procedure done on his knee. However, the good news is that he has been given a clean bill of health and we hope that a team calls him in for workouts later.
“Prior to the injury, Vitah had started the season so well and was one of TBB Trier’s best performing players in the Bundesliga. He’s still under guaranteed contract and will be their main guy this season.
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“Right now, he’s getting ready for camp in Bamberg, Germany as part of his off-season conditioning and I expect that next season he will be in the NBA.”
Three years ago, Chikoko (23) completed a dream move from local side Mbare Heat to German Bundesliga side BG Göttingen before switching base to fellow German top flight side TBB Trier last season. While at TBB Trier, Chikoko has received rave reviews in the Germany media who believe he is one of the brightest prospects in the league.
Donning the number 23 jersey popularised by legendary Michael Jordan, Chikoko has also won the admiration of his coaches and teammates at TBB Trier.
