The Charlotte Observer, N.C., Tom Sorensen column: Bobcats are willing to wait for their French connection

Oct 04, 2008 (The Charlotte Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- TGT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- WILMINGTON Alexis Ajinca is the big mystery, the rare first-round NBA pick we know almost nothing about.

Here are the facts: He is 20, comes from Saint Etienne, France, was introduced to the sport when he was 12 and did not distinguish himself statistically in the two seasons he played professionally in France.

Yet the Bobcats shocked their fans, and basketball junkies, when they selected Ajinca 20th.

Who is he?

He is the tallest player on the court at Trask Coliseum, where the Charlotte Bobcats hold training camp. He is listed at 7-feet, same as Ryan Hollins. But when they stand next to each other, Ajinca (ah-JIN-sa) clearly is taller. Somebody is lying.

"I am 7-1," says Ajinca.

He is 7-2, say the Bobcats.

He weighs 220 pounds and has calves as narrow as golf tees. His legs are so long he seems to cover the court in five easy steps. He moves as gracefully, as fluidly and as quickly as a man a foot shorter.

Ajinca has always moved. He was a BMX racing star in France as a youth. He also played pick-up soccer with his friends. A cousin played basketball; Ajinca realized he could squeeze in practice before he climbed on his bike for BMX.

He finally had to choose, so he chose basketball. Younger players in the French leagues typically sit while veterans play. Thus, he never averaged more than five points as a pro. The Bobcats believe he can be an exceptional talent, and were willing to wait until he grew into his body and the game.

"I didn't think that when we drafted him he would play," Bobcats coach Larry Brown says. "By February he might be playing, maybe sooner. He's got a high IQ, he can make a shot, he's got great hands. But right now I think if he played in the NBA he'd foul out in warm-ups."

Big-time basketball is new enough that Ajinca isn't aware of what he can do. He also isn't aware of what he can't.

That's him trying to beat 6-4 Shannon Brown off the dribble (he fails). That's him catching the pass from fellow rookie D.J. Augustin, hanging in the air and hitting the front rim with the ball. That's him grabbing the rebound and going over Hollins for a dunk. That's him hitting the 15-footer to win the drill for his team.

That's him wearing the aqua "My Little Pony" backpack whose character comes with a mane of pink hair. Charlotte star Jason Richardson stopped at Target on Monday morning, went to aisle F-53 and bought two $15.99 backpacks for the rookies. Augustin received a "Little Miss Giggles" red one with white polka dots.

The rookies are required to wear them almost everywhere.

"It's got some hair from the pony and a brush for the hair," says Ajinca, smiling, which he does frequently. "I'm a rookie so I can do nothing."

Did a French veteran ever hand you a backpack?

"Noooo," says Ajinca. "We might take the bag of the old guys. Most of the time we take the jersey after the game and put it on the bag."

What did you do when Richardson presented "My Little Pony?

Says Ajinca: "I was like, Mannnn. Crazy for me. It's funny. I can do this."

Ajinca learns quickly. He knew little English until last season, when he began to listen hard to his Hyeres-Toulon teammates from the U.S.

Still, when his Charlotte coaches sometimes talk too fast they lose Ajinca. Teammates Nazr Mohammad or Matt Carroll usually interpret.

"You'd think he'd have a little trouble in translations," says Brown. "But he gets most of it."

How's your French?

"Me?" asks Brown. "Pom frites. That's apparently it."

Ajinca was thrilled to learn there's a French restaurant in Charlotte. Brown says they'll go together. Brown will show off by ordering, in French, a baguette.

Ajinca is adjusting to local cuisine. He says that while there is fast food where he's from, it isn't everywhere. He's accustomed to fresh food, to every meal being a meal. But he eats fast food once a week or every two weeks.

I have to ask.

Do you eat french fries?

"I'm really surprised," Ajinca says with spirit. "Because I don't think the french fries come from France. I think they come from Belgium."

Meanwhile, back on the court, Gerald Wallace goes high for the first shot in the five-on-five drill. Ajinca goes higher to knock it away.

Not in his maison.

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