Christian Eyenga Shows Promise for Cavaliers
Late First Round Draft Pick Could Earn Spot on Team
Jul 19, 2009
Less than one month ago on June 25, 2009, a virtually unknown basketball talent from the Republic of Congo sat in a crowded theater inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. He, like several other young adult males who entered into the NBA draft was on edge, anxiously awaiting to find out what his immediate future had in store. The main difference between this particular prospect and the other draft selections is that this young man did not show up in New York with the highest of expectations, and he likely had no idea his NBA career was looming right around the corner.
Cleveland Cavaliers Select Christian Eyenga in the 2009 NBA Draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers organization had the 30th pick of the draft's first round. With several "NBA ready" prospects still available that late in the draft, the Cavaliers surprised the NBA watching world by selecting a young man by the name of Christian Eyenga. The look on Eyenga's face was priceless after he rose from his seat moments after NBA Commissioner David Stern announced his name. Eyenga's facial expressions could have translated into "who, me?"
At first, even Sherlock Holmes could not figure out the mystery behind Eyenga being picked by the Cavaliers in the first round. The Cavaliers are believed to be in a "win now" mode, how is an unheard of basketball prospect going to help the Cavs secure the championship? With the possible departure of NBA mega star, LeBron James when he becomes a free agent next season, the Cavaliers have no room for error.
Immediately after the NBA draft, a press conference was held in Cleveland with Cavs General Manager, Danny Ferry, and his assistant. The two admitted with the 30th pick there was definitely "NBA ready" talent still available, but no one they saw who could ultimately make an impact on the team this year. There was further explanation that Eyenga had the length and athleticism the Cavaliers had been searching for out of a perimeter player for quite some time. Ferry admitted that Eyenga is still very raw, and would likely require additional time to develop his skills overseas where he previously played with Euro league team DKV Joventut. Sending Eyenga overseas would also mean that the Cavaliers would not have to offer him a contract, meaning they could save money this year while keeping the rights to Eyenga should they choose to offer him a contract in the years to come.
NBA Summer League Performance May Help Eyenga Land a Spot on Cavaliers Roster
Eyenga though does not appear to welcome the two year plan, and clearly wants to find a home on the Cavaliers' roster this year. He was given the opportunity to participate this past week in the NBA Summer League held in Las Vegas. Eyenga joined Cavaliers' second round draft pick, Danny Green, from the University of North Carolina, and also got to team up with other NBA prospects and rookie players. Christian took the opportunity and ran with it, certainly trying to make a case for himself. Aside from Eyenga's first game as a Cavalier in the Summer League, where he appeared unconfident and shaky, scoring only one point in seventeen minutes of action, he made the best of the minutes given to him in the games that followed. In game number two, Eyenga scored ten points in twenty four minutes. The following game he scored seventeen points in twenty two minutes. The stats clearly show Eyenga's willingness to learn and his ability to adapt to a new situation quickly and thrive in it. Eyenga also displayed his athletic ability, his lightning quick speed, his ability to score from close to the basket, or away from it, and most importantly to Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown, his ability and desire to play defense.
If Eyenga continues in a positive direction, and continues to catch the eye of NBA coaches, analysts and players, Danny Ferry and Coach Brown might not be so quick to purchase that airline ticket that would send Eyenga back overseas.
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