Overview

Rakovic, 22, has spent most of his life on the basketball court. One of the most physical centers in the Serbian League, he will probably shift to power forward at the NBA level, as he has the athleticism and aggressive court presence to battle on the boards.

Rakovic began his basketball career as a small forward for KK Sloga during the 1997-98 campaign. The following season, he shifted to power forward for KK Partizan, eventually moving to center during his five seasons with that organization (1998-2003).

Rakovic suited up for KK Polet keramika in 2003-04. He was later picked up by KK Atlas, competing for that team from 2004-06. In 22 regular-season games during the 2005-06 campaign, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He shot 66.6 percent from the field (94 of 141) and 80.8 percent from the charity stripe while blocking 31 shots. He spent the 2006-07 season with Mega Ishrana, but the team managed just a 3-11 record.

Scouting Report

Positives: Strong, physical rebounder and shot-blocker with above-average athleticism, quickness and leaping ability...Has the wingspan and reach to alter shots in the paint... Tireless worker up and down the court and enjoys the physicality of the game...Gets most of his points under the basket, whether on dunks, jams or putbacks...Uses his body well to gain position in the post...Shows a soft touch around the basket and a nice baby hook shot to get the ball up and over the taller opponents...Shows decent hands to secure the pass and the long arms to compete for the ball in flight...Works well with his guards when running pick-and-rolls...Shows good explosiveness and hangs well in the air going to the basket and drawing contact (good shooter at the charity stripe)...Gets out on the fast break well for a big man and has a frame that can carry at least another 15 pounds with no drop-off in quickness...Relishes his job of getting into the paint and banging heads with the opponent...Finishes with good ferocity when attacking the rim...Has the tenacity, power and desire to get into position and box out his man rather than try to jump over the opponents.

Negatives: Needs to mature on the court, as he tends to let his emotions get the best of him, taking him off his game...Must learn to accept responsibility for his mistakes (gets frustrated and blames others when he makes a bad play and gets vocal with the refs when charged with a foul)...Lacks an offensive game, as he is a marginal mid-range shooter and needs to improve his release...Has a long wing span, but needs to play with better control, as he tends to get too wide with his hands on pressure defense, resulting in costly fouls...Has soft hands, but they are smaller than what you'd expect from a forward (causes him problems when keeping the ball on the floor)... Lacks great vision as a passer and can't be relied upon during crunch time (has too inconsistent of a shot and limited range).

Compares to: OTHELLA HARRINGTON, Charlotte. Rakovic is an aggressive defender who gets most of his scoring opportunities under the basket. He shows great athleticism and quickness for a big man, with the speed to get out on front on the fast break. His perimeter shooting skills are non-existent and he is a marginal ball-handler, lacking great vision passing the ball. He is strictly an inside shooter and rebounder, but must mature on the court, as he gets frustrated too quickly. He might be a better fit coming off the bench and will need to adjust to playing power forward. His offensive game might never develop, but he is a lunch-pail type who will make a living disrupting the opponent coming off the bench.

Personal:

Born 2/19/85...Resides in Uzice, Serbia.