C's workouts heat up by Mark Murphy Tuesday, June 10, 2003 The Celtics brass had players in for their first long day of workouts yesterday, but Danny Ainge was wise to curb his enthusiasm before the process started. ``There are things we have to evaluate, and those we have seen look good, but everybody looks good in workouts,'' the Celtics director of basketball operations said of the process, which last week included a private workout of Boston College's Troy Bell during the NBA draft camp in Chicago. ``We have limitations with what we can do,'' said Ainge. ``But we'll do a bit of testing and look at shot mechanics, things like that.'' The Celtics' poor recent draft history considered, this year's draft is carrying significant emphasis. And not surprisingly, the Celtics find themselves looking at a lot of foreign-born talent. Yesterday's lineup included an 18-year-old Greek named Sofoklis Schortsantis, affectionately known as ``Baby Shaq'' because of the 6-foot-9 forward's relentless work ethic on the offensive glass. He was followed yesterday by Malick Badiane, a 19-year-old, 6-10 power forward type from Senegal, where Schortsantis was also born, and Paccelis Morlende, a 6-2, 22-year-old point guard from France. Despite their relatively young age, all three have played professionally in Europe. Today's tryouts will carry a more American flavor, when Matt Bonner - the 6-10 New Hampshire native who enjoyed a fine senior season with Florida - steps on the floor to display the shooting touch that earned him runner-up honors in SEC Player of the Year voting. He will be joined by Ohio University power forward Brandon Hunter, who led the nation in rebounding this past year with a 12.6 average to go with his .523 shooting percentage, and a 6-9 power forward named Victor Khryapa. The Celtics are obviously taking a long look at rebounding, inside-scoring types with these early workouts, though the quality that will be available at picks No. 16 and 20 is clearly open to question. ``It will not be star quality,'' said Ainge. ``Realistically, last year there were only five players taken in the first round who contributed to their teams. Some people would also question whether (Jay) Williams contributed to the Bulls.'' But as reflected by the Celtics' tryout list, the 2003 draft may set a record for the number of foreign-born players selected in the first round. ``There's as much as I can remember,'' said Ainge. ``There could be as many as 13 who go in the first round.'' The prize - and a player well beyond the Celtics' grasp - is Darko Milicic, a 7-foot, 17-year-old Serbian who has wowed scouts with his skills. The Pistons are very interested in him with the No. 2 selection. ``There's so many possibilities,'' he said. ``But we just want to get ourselves ready for whatever situation comes up.'' --

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