Illinois Basketball: Giorgi Bezhanishvili getting workout with NBA team
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Illinois basketball fanbase will see a player selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Ayo Dosunmu should be a borderline first-round draft pick this year. But while he is a near-lock to be selected, there are some other former Illini who are also trying to latch on in The Association. One of those players is Giorgi Bezhanishvili.
Giorgi decided to leave the Illinois program, and it was reported he was heading back home country of Georgia. That might not end up being the case, as there are now reports coming out that Giorgi is going to be working out for an NBA franchise.
The Lakers will have Illinois’ Giorgi Bezhanishvili in for a workout on Wednesday according to a league source. The 6’9 power forward has a 7’2 wing span and could play multiple positions: https://t.co/A21udbDmsW
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 5, 2021
According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, Giorgi will be working out for the Los Angeles Lakers this Wednesday. This is some big news considering not a lot of people were talking about Giorgi having an NBA career. He always seemed like an overseas player, but he is actually getting a shot at the NBA.
Giorgi developed his all-around game with the Illinois basketball program.
It wouldn’t shock me to see Giorgi stick with an NBA team in some role-player capacity. He is slightly undersized at 6-foot-9, but he has tremendous athletic ability and a high motor.
Two years ago, Giorgi was trying to develop his three-point game and boosted his numbers from 16.7-percent to 30.6-percent from beyond the three-point arc. That type of improvement is what NBA scouts are probably looking for in a player.
Beyond the actual tangible ability Giorgi brings to the table, he has a lot of the intangibles a team would want. Giorgi is a great locker room guy who can bring a team together. He is someone who will do the dirty work but isn’t a me-first type of player. This guy will help with team chemistry.
Next. Projected Illini lineup with the addition of Sencire Harris. dark
I would love to see Giorgi do well in the workout on Wednesday. Hopefully, he can get on with a Summer League team as well. This would give him a platform to show off his talents. Don’t be surprised if you see Giorgi with an NBA team in the next couple of years.