Blazers Russian import finds the trip well worth it

Nikita Morgunov grew up idolizing Arvydas Sabonis and dreaming
of playing in the NBA -- and now that dream comes true

Nikita Morgunov signed his first NBA contract Thursday then staggered 
out of Trail Blazers president Bob Whitsitt's office, his mouth agape 
and eyes smiling.

He was a long way from Siberia.

"I am happy," said Morgunov, who signed a one-year contract.

Morgunov took the longest journey to the NBA.

"Usually, in my city we play ice hockey," said Morgunov, 23, who hails
from the Russian city of Novokuznetsk, about 300 miles north of China.
But for Morgunov, his feet steered his fate. "Skates for me is a big 
problem. My size."

His feet are size 16, and it has been 12 years since he has laced up 
skates.

Soon enough, basketball coaches found the 6-foot-10 Morgunov, and he 
found his way to the top of the EuroLeague. Now, he shares an American
-team roster with Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis, a childhood hero.

"We've really tried to focus on getting better in our international 
stuff," said Mark Warkentien, the Blazers' assistant general manager 
who oversees scouting. "He's kind of a fruit of that tree."

Warkentien credited Ron Adams, a former Blazers scout, with finding 
Morgunov.

Morgunov got a good start to a basketball career -- an early growth 
spurt.

"Our team was really tall for children," Morgunov said of his earliest
basketball days. "When I was maybe 13 years old, I was two meters (about
6-61/2), and the other players from our team were maybe 2.04, 2.05."

He first came to the United States in 1990, when his team made a tour of
Iowa high schools.

"I dreamt to put on a (jersey) with names of some of the NBA teams," he
said. "I dreamt to practice, to play with the best players of the world.
Now, I can practice here, and I feel very lucky."

He attended an Olympic training school in the western city of Stavropol
and began to play professionally at age 15. When Morgunov was 18, 
coaches from the prestigious Russian army team discovered him. He spent 
the next four years playing for the army and became a lieutenant.

"I know how to shoot, but never was in a war," he said, smiling.

Morgunov attended the Blazers' mini-camp in May and played in Lithuania
this season, shooting 76.5 percent from the field and averaging 9.3 
rebounds in seven EuroLeague games. He played for Atletas of Kaunas, the 
same city as Sabonis' Zalgiris team.

The Blazers invited him back for training camp, and this time he will 
stay.

"It's a very big step," from Europe to the NBA, Morgunov said. "In 
Europe, you can have a good shot or good speed or good strength. Here, 
we must do everything."

He could not join the Blazers' first practice Thursday night because he
was awaiting a visa and the completion of his contract, but Morgunov 
said he is ready to learn.

"I know how much I need to work," he said.

He will have a familiar mentor in Sabonis, who grew up in Lithuania and
whom Morgunov watched on TV.

"When Sabonis began to play, I was maybe 7 years old," Morgunov said. 
"(To) everybody in his country, and Russia too, he was like a hero.

"Maybe the dream has come true. Maybe nine years ago, I think it 
impossible, incredible to play with him. Now, it's reality."

For the time being, Morgunov is working out alone and staying at a local
hotel. But he is a Blazer, and there will probably be no going back to
hockey.

"I forget how to play ice hockey," Morgunov said. "Now, maybe I will 
look like a cow on ice."