Player Preview Kyrylo Fesenko 2009-2010

"Ivan and Fes might have only foreign nationality in common, but I believe there are some things there that a coach can see that nobody has, of yet."

Watching the Big-Men of the Utah Jazz makes it hard to follow every aspect of talent on the team. One such overlooked Center for the Utah Jazz is Kyrylo Fesenko. The question is, is the 3-4th man center simply adding to the depth of the team or is he a team player that can push the intensity of the Jazz?

Fess' number often change depending on when and who he is subbing for. He held his own in 2008-2009 only playing 21 games for the Jazz averaging 7.4 minutes and 2.3 points per game. This gave him only a FG% of .583. He spent some of his time with the Utah Flash and was often called to support spots missed in the Jazz due to the injury-plagued season for Memo or Boozer.

Kyrylo Fesenko had a season high rating in the game vs Houston where he racked up 12 points with 6/8 field goals, 11 rebounds (8 defensive) 2 assists in 34 minutes played 12/27/08. I remember him not only outpacing Yao, but also keeping him on the low end yet far enough away where his normal flip-it-in shots weren't falling. Between Fess and Koof they shook up the play of Yao Ming enough where it went into 2OT. He seemed to show an uncanny knack for moving well with other bigs and using his presence to pass well, rebound an average of 7-12 rebounds on games when he was pulled to the D-League Utah Flash.

Vs. Dallas 12/26/08

Other than some miscommunicated reasons for a hasty start then hasty exit from the European League this summer, his off season seems to have been spent building on his shape, and to a point his stamina. As with most bigs in the game, stamina is a constant issue. Especially for a 7'a center at 300 lbs with a 9ft reach span and 7'4 wing span and size 18 shoe. (thanks to utahjazz.com for some of the stats)

The out-of-the-court issues that seemed to have happened over the summer was his work on extending his english, and the addition of a girlfriend. Although seemingly trivial, these steps towards adaptability with his teammates and with his stay in the United States can only further his expansion and understanding of the game.

Although Fes is not in the team for the shooting, and not even in the Jazz solely on his size; I believe this could be his advantage going into the 2009-2010 season. His ability to keep up with the footwork of the all-star bigs of the league, as well as his blocks, rebounds, and desire to physically put a body in your way is what we can look forward to as fans.

A few things I can see him working on as the year starts are:

1- Keeping his arms up: Many times in the preseason he was guarding others and left the huge gap his wingspan leaves above his shoulders and over his head. Although I only played in high school, I remember how many times I was put to the test because I did not keep my arms up in basketball. It seems very very simple in fundamentals, however there were many passes he could have intercepted or blocked if his arms were roughly 1ft higher while defending.

2- How much of a 7-1 300lb body do you put in the nba on your assignment? This is a little more difficult and perhaps Koof can help him with this. He has a body that was made for defense. However, the foul trouble comes from not only reaching with your hand- but reaching with your elbow, shoulder, side and part hip where they all make contact with the one you are defending. Since some ref's tend to call heavy, that hip can get you in foul trouble fast, as he found out in a preseason game against Portland.

3- Use the skills the Basketball Gods gave you. This one is easier. In the Euro League Fes was commented on finding good passes due to his height. In the preseason, Eric Maynor seemed to find those passes that nobody else could see and hes one if not the shortest person on the Jazz Roster. Part of a leader and PG falls on communicating with your team. Maybe Maynor should take his knack of instinct, and work it with Fes's viewpoints for some plays that could develop into a better sets then the recently lackluster Alley-Ooops.

With his fitness improving, and with it his ability to go longer minutes - although foul related blocks and his defensive rebounds on a team that is focusing on DEFENSE this season, Kyrylo Fesenko has the ability to bring one small step of Harpbring's loss to the Jazz letting them put a body on the floor and in the opposite team's face!

Note: One comment I had to add on here: Anyone remember the movie "Eddie"? This year instead of "Ivan make Defense" we will be looking for "Fes makes Defense"  Go Utah!! (I hear icy-hot in the armpits helps keep your arms up)

Kate