By Hippo T.
4/27/07
Finnish point guard Petteri Koponen has declared for the NBA Draft today. He is considered a potential late first rounder, early second rounder.
Koponen had an excellent showing in the 2007 Hoop Summit holding his own against top American guards Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo with 6 assists and 1 turnover, finishing the game with 7 points on 2-4 shooting.
Just 19 years of age, Koponen is considered one of the top prospects ever out of the Nordic countries. He had a huge season averaging 12.4 ppg playing for the Honka Playboys.
Koponen will fly to the States May 20th, and meet with his newly hired agent Marc Cornstein. he will attend several NBA team practices and the pre draft camp. If it looks like he won’t get drafted in the first round, he will withdraw his name and head to Europe. Several European top teams have already contacted him.
If Petteri withdraws, he still has the opportunity to declare for the 2008 and 2009 NBA Drafts. If Petteri gets drafted in the first round, it remains
likely that he will spend a year or two in Europe first.
