Traykov to receive call-up by Papazov

Nikola Traykov

09-06-2007 16:10

Konstantin Papazov will add one more player to the extended roster of the National team for the additional qualifications for Eurobasket 2007.
22-year old Nikola Traykov, a 201 cm tall guard, who is currently playing for Bloomsberg University in NCAA D2 will get the chance to make the preparation camp with the team and if he shows the required abilities to make it to the 12 players squad for the qualifications.
Before going to USA, Traykov was playing for Lukoil Academic junior teams. Then he spent an year in Lebanon High School and two years in St. Francis in NCAA D1. This season he moved to Bloomsberg University and played 30 games averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds.
Traykov himself was suprised but very happy learning this news:
"I'm flattered by Papazov's decision. Initially I had planned to use the summer to rest but invitation to play for the National team of your country cannot be turned down. Of course, making it to the 12 players for the qualifications depends only by me. I'm for first time in the Men National team and I'll be honoured to play with Videnov and Stoykov. I believe we can defeat not only Bosnia and Hungary but also the other teams and even make it to the finals in Spain. I'm playing as shooting guard and small forward but I can be used at point guard position as well, just like in the last games for my university" said Traykov.
"I heard pretty good things from different places about Nikola. Lately I haven't been able to watch him but my information is that he has improved a lot in his development and that is why I want to give him a chance. I know also that he can be used at the point guard position, and thanks to his size he might give us new options for our attack. We'll play enough games where I'll test him and be sure of his abilities" said National coach Konstantin Papazov for BulgarianBasket.com.