'CroatianSensation' lands in Gary

Steelheads sign CBA's tallest player


Times Staff Report

PRO BASKETBALL

Coach Duane Ticknor added size and NBA experience to his front line Tuesday by signing 7-foot-2, 250-pound center Bruno Sundov, the tallest player in Steelheads history.

The five-year NBA veteran most recently played with the New York Knicks after beginning the 2003-04 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has also played with the Boston Celtics, the Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks.

"Bruno gives us added size and strength on the front line," Ticknor said. "In our playoff push, we will need to be strong on the boards and Bruno gives us that advantage."

Sundov takes the place of 6-foot-11 Leon Smith, who was released by the team.

A native of Croatia, Sundov was the youngest player in Mavericks' history when he made his NBA debut at age 19. He was Dallas' second-round pick (35th overall) in the 1998 draft.

Sundov helped Croatia's Junior National Team to a 3-0 record and first place in the 1998 International Junior Tournament and currently is the tallest player in the Continental Basketball Association this season.

Sundov also is the tallest player to ever wear a Steelheads' uniform. Lorenzo Coleman, at 7-1, played for the Steelies during the 2000-01 season.

Sundov will join his new team during today's practice at the Gary Genesis Center.

The third-place Steelheads (18-14) play three games in as many days this week. They are at Rockford on Thursday and Saturday nights with a Friday home game against the league-leading Dakota Wizards.

The Steelheads also placed forward Galen Young, their leading scorer, on the inactive reserve list so he could accept a lucrative offer to play in the Philippines.