Utah Jazz notes: Fesenko laughs off Serbia rumor

The news that spread around Utah this week about Kyrylo Fesenko being called up from the NBA Development League to rejoin the Jazz was indeed true.

And the news that spread around Europe recently about how the Ukrainian big man was headed to play in Serbia?

File it in the circular European rumor bin — the recyclable one, of course.

On his first day back with the Jazz after being recalled from the D-League's Utah Flash, Fesenko refuted the Internet report that suggested he might part to play for a Euro club called Partizan Belgrade.

Fesenko shook his head when asked about the rumor and joked, "I'm not allowed to swear, right?"

Only in Russian or Ukrainian.

Fesenko was flabbergasted when he heard about the alleged move. He got the news over the phone from his mother who called and asked, "'Are you going to the Partizan in Serbia?' I was like, 'What?!' "

A few mouse clicks later, Fesenko read all about it on European-based basketball Web sites.

"Everybody say that," he said. "I called my agent and he was, like, 'Nobody has even talked to us.' "

Fact is, Fesenko pointed out, he is under contract this year and hopes the Jazz will pick up on the third-year option on his rookie contract for the 2009-10 season.

Fesenko is puzzled about the rumor's originations.

"But it was fun," he said with a smile, adding that he got "so much attention, I realize that I'm popular."

As for his current situation, Fesenko called it "awesome" to be a starter and regular with the Flash but says it's "always good" to be back with the Jazz. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 14 games with the Flash during his two stints with the Orem club.

"I'm ready to play, ready to prove — if coach wants to give me a chance, I will use it," he said. "I got some confidence in the D-League, get some playing time, so I feel pretty good right now."

And, Fesenko stressed he's where he wants to be.

"It's crisis over there. I want to live here," he said, comparing Serbia to the U.S. "I don't want to be afraid of going home and being robbed."

PITT FAN CLUB:Brevin Knight occasionally gets razzed by the guys about his alma mater, Stanford, but he has gotten some Jazz players to jump on the Pittsburgh bandwagon.

"They're with me," Knight said of his teammates. "They know a good thing when they see it."