The search for the next Orlando Magic center has gone beyond the upcoming college draft and above the pending free-agent market this summer.
It has gone to the other side of the world.The Magic are one of a handful of teams that are looking closely at Michael Ri, the 7-foot-9 center from North Korea.
Ri, 28, wants to play in the NBA, and he will touch off an intensive recruiting effort as a free agent if he can secure the necessary clearance from the United States State Department.
Ri - who changed his first name recently because of his devotion to Michael Jordan - traveled to Ottawa, Canada, last fall trying to gain Canadian citizenship and to work with renowned Canadian national-team coach Jack Donahue.
Gary Brokaw, Magic director of scouting, was one of several NBA scouts who went to Ottawa and watched Ri play. Brokaw even played some one-on-one against him, trying to get a better feel for Ri's skill level. He liked what he saw. Ri has returned home and is awaiting diplomatic clearance to join the NBA.
Although NBA teams were instructed last year to stay clear of Ri because North Korea is still a Communist nation, and the U.S. doesn't want to violate the Trading with Enemies Act, that directive may be loosening soon.
Ri's agent, Michael F. Coyne, said Ri got an endorsement from Nike last week. North Korea is where Nike manufactures its basketball shoes. Nike has been lobbying the State Department on Ri's behalf. Coyne also said two senators from California -where there is a large Korean-American population - have lent support.
The Magic are one of a handful of teams that have sent letters to the State Department, letting it know Ri could obtain work as an NBA player.
"He's just so huge, and he can shoot the ball," Brokaw said Friday. "He definitely has the potential to help an NBA team. We're keeping an eye on the situation. There are politics involved, so you never know what might happen, but if he's able to come here, we're interested."
Ri, according to several accounts, could become an immediate defensive force by his sheer size.
He has good hands and a surprisingly soft shooting touch. His lateral movement and athleticism, though, are limited.
Early take on the June 24 draft is that point guard Mike Bibby (Arizona) and center Michael Olowokandi (Pacific) can't go lower than the top three. The next five guys - Paul Pierce (Kansas), Raef LaFrentz (Kansas), Antawn Jamison (North Carolina), Vince Carter (North Carolina) and Larry Hughes (St. Louis) - could go in any order between two and seven. Forward Dirk Nowitzki, from Germany, is the only other player who could sneak into the top seven. ... Among the four high school guys who have entered the draft: Al Harrington, a 6-8 forward, should go in the 7-10 range. Rashard Lewis, a 6-10 forward/center, should go in the 10-15 range. Korleone Young, a 6-7 power forward, might go late in the first round. The fourth prospect, 6-3 Ellis Richardson, was just given bad advice.
Even with Latrell Sprewell now seeking a return of his full salary through a lawsuit against the league, Miami coach Pat Riley is one maverick who could make a trade for him. "Latrell Sprewell is doing what he feels he has to do for himself," Riley said. "He has taken a major (financial) hit. I think it's an individual reaction. Whether it is right or wrong, it isn't for me to judge. I've never had $7 million taken away from me." ... Magic fans should note that Riley is one guy who was rooting hard against the Magic in the recent draft lottery. "I didn't want to see, all of a sudden, the Orlando Magic get lucky," Riley said. "(Magic executive) Pat Williams has gotten lucky enough."