Nikoloz Tskitishvili is a Georgian former professional basketball player. At 7 feet tall, he played as forward-center. Tskitishvili was selected fifth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2002 NBA draft. He also played for the senior Georgian national basketball team.
Tskitishvili, with the Georgian NT, in 2010.
The 2002 NBA draft was held on June 26, 2002, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. In this draft, National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North American leagues. This was the last draft that was broadcast on TNT, as ESPN obtained the rights for the 2003 draft via its incoming deal. The NBA announced that about 42 college and high school players, and five international players, had filed as early-entry candidates for the draft. The Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors each had a 22.5% chance of acquiring the first pick, but the Houston Rockets, with just an 8.9% probability, won the NBA draft lottery on May 19. The Bulls and Warriors were second and third, respectively. As punishment for salary-cap violations during the 2000–01 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves forfeited their first-round draft pick.
Yao Ming was selected 1st overall by the Houston Rockets.
Nenê was selected 7th overall by the New York Knicks (traded to the Denver Nuggets.)
Amar'e Stoudemire was selected 9th overall by the Phoenix Suns.
Caron Butler was selected 10th overall by the Miami Heat.