Knicks take Greek forward at No. 48 overall

The Associated Press

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — With only a second-round pick in this year's NBA draft, the New York Knicks took Kostas Papanikolaou from Greece at No. 48 overall.

The 21-year-old forward is still under contract with Euroleague champion Olympiacos of the Greek league, so the Knicks expect to keep tabs on his development.

"We think it's an investment in our future," general manager Glen Grunwald said. "Given with where we are at with our team and where we want to go, it was unlikely we were going to draft anyone in 48 that was going to step in immediately contribute. So we felt that this player could grow overseas. He's got at least one more year left in his contract. We will evaluate him next year and we will decide when to bring him over.."

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June 29, 2012