Name: Semih Erden (SEM-ee Err-DEN) Position: Center Height: 6-11 (2.11m) Weight: 240 (109kg) Pro Team: Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey) Nationality: Turkish Birthplace: Instanbul, Turkey Birthdate: 7/28/1986 Drafted: Selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round (60th pick overall) of 2008 NBA Draft.

Strengths: Solid athlete overall who can run the floor very well for his size … Once Erden gets the ball out on the perimeter he can shoot a quality perimeter shot from 16 feet or use a dribble drive, depending how the defense is playing him … Isn’t mechanical or stiff in his movements, but is rather fluid, a rarity for centers … Defensively, he works hard to deny post position to opposing players … Good touch around the basket where he is a quick finisher with dunks or lay-ups … Decent rebounder out of position thanks to his long arms and mobility … Erden is capable of making some impressive plays in the post when he is focused … Lateral quickness enables him to guard small forwards on the perimeter … Potentially, Erden has a lot of skills for an NBA team to work with … Does a good job of getting his body wide when he sets up in the post … Has the soft hands needed to catch most passes thrown into him … Underrated post passer whose court vision has made some improvements … Fundamentally sound player with great confidence in his abilities … Back to the basket moves are solid, and more importantly, showing development …

Weaknesses: Could stand to add more muscle weight to his body … Lacks the explosiveness and instincts to be a high level shot blocker in the NBA … Picks up foul calls when defending in the post as he tends to be overaggressive … Doesn’t always work hard to establish himself in the post … Below average offensive rebounder due to his inability to effectively box out opposing players … Post footwork isn’t bad, but every so often Erden will lose his balance … Intensity level is questionable - a player with all his gifts should easily dominate … Some have questioned his work ethic and desire, as he has developed into what most predicted for him back in 2003 … Not a very consistent player - one day he plays like a first rounder, the next you barely notice him on the floor … Can take some questionable shots and doesn’t seem to fully understand what his strengths are yet … Doesn’t do a good job of creating contact to draw fouls from opposing defenders …

Matthew Maurer - 2/4/08