(BROOKLYN, NY) – The Indiana Pacers selected 6-11 center Goga Bitadze with the 18th pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft.
The soon-to-be 20-year old played internationally for his native Georgia and was named EuroLeague Rising Star last year.
“We didn’t think he would be at 18,” Pacers President Kevin Pritchard said. “We had him going in the lottery so when he was still there for us there was a ton of excitement in our draft room.”
Bitadze will be the third 6-11 post player on the Pacers roster, joining Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis.
Earlier in the day, the Pacers traded the Phoenix Suns for forward T.J. Warren and the 32nd pick in the draft for cash.
The Pacers traded the 32nd pick to the Miami Heat and the 50th pick to the Utah Jazz.
The Pacers received future second-round picks in both deals.
