Utah Jazz: Bleach-blond Fez comes to camp

"I want to see him work hard, stay focused on what we're doing and not lose concentration if something's funnier over here in this corner than it is where we are. So, it's up to him. All of our coaches want to see him succeed, and they've worked with him, they've spent time with him. But we can't drag him out here."

Nor did anyone force Fesenko to take a dip in the peroxide pool that idle June day back home in Ukraine.

"I was just passing by the barber shop, and I was thinking, like, 'Why not?"' Fesenko said. "I just wanted to try it. I never had before blond hair. And I think it's fun."

At least worth a summer-league laugh.

Not that many dared Monday to ask Fesenko how much help he needed changing a light bulb.

"Probably because I can beat all these teammates," he joked.

All kidding aside, Fesenko has to know that with his Jazz future at stake this month is much more about work than play.

That message was sent loud-and-clear on June 26, when the Jazz took 7-1 Ohio State center Kosta Koufos with their first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Koufos seems destined to present a challenge in what should emerge as a battle of young, developing bigs.

"I don't think anybody's guaranteed him he's gonna be here," Sloan said of Fesenko, who according to the coach will have competition for a roster spot. "I know I haven't. You know, he's got to work."

Fesenko suspected as much late last month while working out in Florida, where — new 'do in place — he also watched the draft unfold on TV.

"I think that if Koufos is here it's gonna (stimulate) me to work harder to play against him and to learn something new," said Fesenko, who after a few days of individual workouts with Koufos already has taken a liking to him.

"It's hard for me to find the difference between teammates or competition, because even when we're with great teammates — your friends — you always have to compete, you always have to prove something, you always have to show that you are better," he said. "But I like him. I like him a lot."

The two even talk of playing off each other on the floor.

"He's a very big guy. He's very smart, offensively and defensively. He knows the system well. He's got a year's experience," Koufos said of Fesenko. "But I feel I can put the ball on the floor and dribble, and play more of a 4."

"He's more like a Memo (Okur) type of big men, so I think we can easily play with him on the court," Fesenko said. "I can play 5, and he can 4."

If, that is, Fesenko can convince a certain coach he really is serious about the task at hand.

Colorful locks and all.

"The first thing I asked (Fesenko): 'Have you seen Coach Sloan since you've been back?"' Almond said. "He was like, 'No.' ... And I was like, 'Make sure I'm not around (when you do).'"

---

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com