Offensively, Klimenko gets solid production (15 points in 24 minutes per game, 57% 2P%) in the mediocre Russian second division, but can't be considered a very skilled player at this point in time, as he's not someone you can really throw the ball to inside the post and ask him to go to work. His best source of offense comes in transition, on the offensive glass or moving off the ball, where his mobility, length and soft hands allow him to be a factor as a finisher around the rim. It's impressive to see him beating opposing big men down the floor with his excellent straight-line speed, and even though he's not an amazing leaper, his wingspan and quick jump helps him convert opportunities inside the paint at a very solid clip. His quickness allows him to beat opposing big men to the spot and be a presence on the offensive glass. He is averaging 2.4 offensive rebounds in 24 minutes this season. Klimenko also shows some flashes as a mid-range jump-shooter, something his team likes to showcase at times. He can hit a 15-17 footer with solid mechanics and good touch, and also converted 74% of his numerous free throw attempts on the season, which is impressive at his size.
Klimenko's mobility extends to the defensive end, where he shows nice potential stepping outside of the paint and hedging screens, especially for a player his size. On the downside, however, Klimenko still appears to be in a relatively early stage of his development, as his basketball IQ is average and he makes some fairly questionable decisions at times on the floor. He doesn't always know his limitations seemingly, and gets taken advantage of a little more than you'd hope defensively when going up against older, more experienced big men, giving up deep post position, getting scored on inside, and not showing great awareness for what's happening on the court. He isn't a soft player and shows solid activity when he's motivated to impose his will, but he just doesn't have a lot of experience and his motor tends to run hot and cold at times, particularly when he's not getting as many offensive touches as he likes. Perhaps where this shows up the most is on the defensive glass, where Klimenko is just average, posting 4.6 defensive rebounds in 24 minutes, which is not great considering the level of competition he plays at. He doesn't go out of his area very often and just doesn't show great instincts pursuing loose balls, something he'll clearly have to do to make it in the NBA considering his average skill-level offensively.
Something that NBA teams might be leery about, which Klimenko really can't control, is their overall comfort level with Russian prospects. The track record of Russian players in the NBA is incredibly poor, as there are really only two success stories (Andrei Kirilenko, and to a lesser extent Timofey Mozgov) you can point to in the last 23 years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russian basketball players don't have a great reputation outside of their country, as there are significant concerns about their mentality and approach and whether they'll be able to make the transition to playing in the NBA. It should be noted however, that Klimenko was actually born and raised in the Ukraine, even if he's been in Russia for the past few years and will compete for their national team if and when he gets called up to play at that level.
Teams will want to do thorough background work on Klimenko, as there are some occasional red flags that show up on film on occasion. He displays poor body language at times when he doesn't get the ball, pouting and refusing to hustle back on defense, and he'll go through stretches where he looks to cut corners and his intensity leaves something to be desired. It's not out of the question that a NBA team picking in the 20-40 range of the draft might decide to convince him to keep his name in and select him, as there is no doubt that he has legit talent. Mobile 7-footers with his frame and reach certainly don't grow on trees, and with his offensive rebounding proficiency, finishing ability, and budding defensive prowess, he appears to have excellent potential to develop into a solid backup center, at the very least, in the right setting.
How about you? What do you think? Does this guy have the goods to be a sleeper pick in the NBA Draft? See what the folks of +DraftExpress have to say and always keep up with all 30 +NBA teams right here on +Slap Dog Hoops. Be sure to stay tuned to SDH in the coming weeks as I will be recapping, reviewing and ranking the performances of all thirty teams in the Association in my Worst to First Countdown.
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