SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Brazilian big man Lucan Nogueira.
NAME: Lucas Nogueira
PRO TEAM: Estudiantes
AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 20 years, 11 months
POSITION: Center
MEASUREMENTS: 7'0, 220 pounds, 7'6 wingspan, 9'6 standing reach
RELEVANT STAT: 13.6 minutes per game this season. Nogueira is more potential than production at this point in his career.
SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 26.
NBA CEILING: Marcus Camby
NBA FLOOR: Ian Mahinmi
JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS
After putting his name in the draft as an 18-year-old before withdrawing in 2011, Lucas Nogueira made it official in 2013. However, many of the same questions remain from his first time through the pre-draft process.
A Brazilian native whose spent the last four years in Spain, Nogueira is a reserve center in the ACB, probably the second best league in the world. He averaged five points, 3.5 rebounds and one block on 66-percent shooting this season. At 7'0 and 220 pounds with a 7'6 wingspan, he has the length and athleticism to protect the rim in the NBA. That's why he's been on NBA radar screens since he was 17.
SB Nation's Big Board
Jonathan Tjarks' ranking of the top prospects in the 2013 NBA Draft
As a skinny shot-blocker without much offensive game, he'll need to become either strong enough to bang with thicker centers or skilled enough to drag them out of the paint. At the very least, Noguiera needs to add at least 15 pounds of muscle in order to be a factor on the defensive glass. Right now, his only role on the offensive end is catching alley-oops near the rim. He has to be near the rim to be successful, which is a problem for such a slight player.
Noguiera is a prototypical "draft and stash" big man who can be kept in Europe for the next few seasons.
DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT
OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS
Nogueira is only 220 pounds, one of the skinniest centers in the draft, and in the league. Even still, he is extremely mobile and quick, much more than fellow post players. He gets out in transition very easily and is a weapon coming down the floor, shooting 84 percent from the floor while running the fast break. The 20-year-old prospect is also a high-energy player. He uses his length to keep possessions alive, grabbing 4.9 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes.
Even though "Bebe" could be used effectively in transition and in pick-and-roll sets, he has no offensive game. The prospect doesn't leave the paint, he took only nine shots outside of it this past season, and can't play a half-court style game. He is not talented enough with the ball to take his defender one-on-one, he needs to have a step on the opposition. His lanky body makes it difficult to gain position in the post, and he an efficient player in traffic.
Nogueira, though, may be much more useful as a defender in the pros. He has a wingspan of 7'6" and has great timing as a shot blocker. The Brazilian blocked 3.3 shots per 40 minutes. He also averages one steal a game per 40 minutes, making him a very versatile player in the post. Nogueira is a fine shot blocker, but once that ball hits the rim, he is doomed. His undeveloped body allows him to get pushed around by his opponents. He must put on weight because a near-7'0 big can't be grabbing three rebounds per game.
6'11 with a 7'5 wingspan, Nogueira has entered the NBA draft for a second time. He entered in 2011 before withdrawing, having never secured a commitment from a team to be selected in the first round. Now its 2013, and the rules state that if you withdraw once, you can't do it again. Nogueira has had his doubters for a while now. While he is long and athletic, his effort level is inconsistent, and he is rail thin. Still, there is talk that he has matured a bit and his offensive game has slowly evolved over the years. He plays in the top league in Spain and has held his own. If the Cavs took him with the 31st or 33rd pick, he could stay over in Spain for a while and the team could monitor his progress. Maybe he puts it all together, maybe he doesn't. But athletic dudes who can protect the rim and rebound don't grow on trees.
For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.