Projected Lottery Pick Jan Vesely Withdraws From 2010 NBA Draft

The 2010 NBA Draft was shaping up to be one of the deepest in years, with nearly every key underclassmen in college deciding to leave school early. However, the top of the draft got a little shorter yesterday, as European star Jan Vesely told Draft Express that he’s pulling his name out of the draft.

After consulting with my coach Mr. Dusan Vujosevic, my Agent and my family, who has always been very supportive of me in every decision that I have made in the past, I made the decision not to enter the 2010 NBA Draft.
I have decided to stay and play for my club BC Partizan for the next season.

Vesely was listed as the 10th pick in Draft Express’ latest mock draft, and had been at that position since the beginning of April. He’s a 20-year old player that currently plays for Partizan Belgrade of the Adriatic League, and is projected to be a small forward in the NBA. Kurt Heiln of NBC’s Pro Basketball Talk describes Vesely’s game as follows.

According to DraftExpress, who has scouted him in person, Vesely is a fantastic athlete and a classic European big man in the Nowitzki/Gasol mode -- he’s 6’11” guy who can fill the lane on the break and shoots well from the midrange. He also loves to finish at the rim with big dunks. However, at age 20 the Cezch Republic native is still somewhat raw with his shot creation and the ball handling needed to do that at the NBA level.