NBA Draft 2013: Brazil’s Lucas Nogueira Player Profile

With the NBA Draft scant hours away, HoopsHabit.com continues its previews with a look at some of the top prospects, including:

7-foot Brazilian Lucas Nogueira is an intriguing prospect because of his length and athleticism. (Wikimedia Commons)

PF/C Lucas Nogueira, Brazil, 7’, 220 lbs

2012-13 stats: 5.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 0.3 apg, 68.4% FG, 0% 3-pt, 66.7% FT

The Skinny

Lucas Nogueira is a 7-footer with a 7’6” wingspan that has spent the last four years playing in Spain. Like many Latin American prospects, Nogueira’s soccer background has created a big man with tremendous footwork. Nogueira will be 21 next month and still has three years left on his deal with Estudiantes Madrid, making him a potential candidate for a team to draft and stash for a year or two.

Strengths

Nogueira is just a freakish athlete, but he’s a prospect—albeit one with huge potential. His length combined with his athleticism could be something special as he develops. He has a decent offensive feel and a nice touch around the rim. He is not a threat at all from outside, but he is developing a mid-range game that has potential. He’s a solid rebounder with natural ability, but can learn better positioning techniques.

Here are the highlights from Nogueira’s standout performance at the adidas Eurocamp:

Weaknesses

The big concern about the player nicknamed “Bebe” is his work ethic—he has a reputation for being a lazy player. Sources around Estudiantes have hinted that Nogueira already has a star attitude and can be difficult to work with at times. He needs to get stronger in the upper body and overall, but the big hole in his game is a deadly combination of poor strength, low confidence and poor effort on the defensive end.

Here’s a look at Nogueira’s pre-draft workout:

Potential Landing Spots

Another prospect who has a wide range of pre-draft opinions. FOXSports.com has him going No. 11 overall in its mock draft, while CBSSports.com’s mock has Nogueira remaining on the board until No. 39 or No. 40. The most common rating for Nogueira is somewhere late in round 1.

Teams That Make Sense

Brooklyn Nets: Nogueira could provide some future insurance for Brook Lopez and the Nets could opt to let him remain abroad so the pick doesn’t hit the Nets’ already astronomical cap figure for 2013-14. He would definitely be a long-term project.

Utah Jazz: The Jazz may be going through a frontcourt transition this summer anyway, with stalwarts Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap set to enter free agency and youngsters Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors waiting in the wings. Adding Nogueira to the mix would allow the Jazz to get even younger and more athletic up front.

Philadelphia 76ers: After the debacle that was the Andrew Bynum experience in Philadelphia, a big man who is healthy would be a pleasant change. However, there are questions about Nogueira’s readiness out of the box and the Sixers have a definite need for a big man who can contribute now rather than later.