This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Center Kyrylo Fesenko is considering offers to play overseas next season. A move is not imminent, though, and Fesenko has received interest from European teams in the past.
It was reported Monday that Spanish club Baskonia is pursuing Fesenko.
The 7-foot-1, 280-pound Fesenko averaged 2 points, 2 rebounds and 8.6 minutes last season in 53 games for the Jazz. He will become an unrestricted free agent once the NBA lockout ends and players are allowed to sign with new teams.
Fesenko, 24, is expected to play for a Mike Fratello-coached Ukraine team in the 2011 EuroBasket tournament, which is scheduled Aug. 31-Sept. 18 in Lithuaina.
Fesenko has fully recovered from a right thumb fracture that prematurely ended his 2010-11 season, forcing him to miss Utah's final five games.
Fesenko turned down an opportunity last season to sign a restricted free agent offer sheet with Houston, instead opting to re-sign with the Jazz. He entered camp slimmed down and highly motivated, but never fulfilled his preseason promise. Fesenko scored a season-high 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds Feb. 7 during a come-from-behind road victory against Sacramento. But he only recorded double digits in minutes four times during the next 29 games.
Fesenko expressed interest during April about re-signing with the Jazz next season. But he also acknowledged that the 2010-11 campaign might have been his last with the only franchise that he has played for since entering the NBA in 2007.
Fesenko is expected to receive interest from several NBA teams once free agency starts. He is a young, affordable reserve big man who has yet to reach his ceiling, and would likely benefit from a change of scenery.
It is unlikely that Utah resigns Fesenko unless the Jazz free up space in a crowded frontline. Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter and Mehmet Okur are set to compete for minutes at center, while Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors and Jeremy Evans control the depth chart at power forward.Brian T. SmithTwitter: @tribjazzfacebook.com/tribjazzbsmith@sltrib.com