Catching up with Lakers Draft Pick Chinemelu Elonu

BY OTIS KIRK
Rivals.com/Special for LakersGround.net

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— When Los Angeles selected Texas A&M’s Chinemelu Elonu with the No. 59 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft this past June many were surprised.

However, the only surprise to Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak was the 6-10, 230-pound Elonu was still available at that pick. The Lakers also selected at No. 29 and at No. 42, but traded those picks for cash and future draft picks.

“We ranked the players in the draft and we ended up getting the guy we thought would be 34th best guy in the draft at 59,” Kupchak said a press release following the draft. “He’s a wonderful person, great kid and plays hard. He’s developing, every year he’s getting better and better.”

As a junior for the Aggies, Elonu was named honorable mention All-Big 12 after averaging 9.8 points and a team-best 7.3 rebounds and 53 blocked shots. He set a school record by making 66.5 percent from the field and was named the Big 12’s most improved player. Elonu admitted feeling antsy as the draft started to wind down without his name being called.

“I was getting a little nervous when there were only a couple of picks left, but I decided early to just leave it all in God’s hands,” Elonu said.

However, Elonu watched the draft with a large group of family members and friends so, in the end, it was well worth the wait and anxious moments.

“My first thoughts was that I was drafted which made me happy,” Elonu said Sunday. “The second thought was it was to the current World Champions, so I felt blessed.”

The Lakers were able to keep the majority of last year’s roster intact so they asked Elonu to go overseas for a year. If Elonu had reported to the Lakers and not made the roster, Los Angeles would have lost his rights.

“This season, I’m playing for CAI Zaragoza,” Elonu said. “The league started around September. As of now, I’m just concentrating on helping my team win games and improving my play as the season moves along.”

In his team’s most recent game, Elonu had 9 points, 9 rebounds and 1 blocked shot in an 81-63 win over Ciudad De Vigo Basquet. For the season, Elonu is averaging 6.8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.

Elonu said his future status with the Lakers remains even a mystery to him at this point.

“I’m not sure if I will report to the Lakers or not (next season),” Elonu said. “That is the team’s decision, not mine, but I will work my tail off to get there whenever it is.”

Elonu feels that he has the talent to help the Lakers in the future as they likely try to shed some veteran contracts for lower contracts to help reduce their payroll. Some have projected Elonu as a center while others feel he’s a power forward.

“I think I can play whatever they want me to play,” Elonu said. “Here, on CAI Zaragoza, I am playing both positions. My strengths are heart, rebounding and defense.”

This past summer, Elonu played for the Lakers team in the summer league in Las Vegas. In five games, Elonu averaged 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. His best game came in a 92-77 loss to Houston when he scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds. One current Laker, forward Adam Morrison, was also on that team.

“It was a blast playing with Adam Morrison,” Elonu said. “He taught me a lot in the short time I was around him. I think I played okay, but I always think there is room for improvement.”

Elonu is using his season overseas trying to become a better and more complete player.

“I need to improve a ton of aspects of my game,” Elonu said. “I need to pick up my perimeter defense and rebounding.”

The Lakers are 10-3 for the season with many predicting they will make a strong bid to repeat as NBA champions. Elonu won’t argue with that logic.

“Those guys are really good and have a very good chance to repeat,” Elonu said.