By Eurohopes
Considering his physical tools 7-footer Lucas “Bebe” Nogueira (’92) cannot be viewed as anything more than a long term prospect at this stage. Up and down season 2012/13 with Asefa Estudiantes in Spanish ACB demonstrates clear cut strengths and weaknesses of his game. Nogueira’s upside seems incredible, however NBA teams should figure out how far away Brazilian is in his development and how to maximize his improvement.
Brazilian big man has plenty of NBA buzz after dominating U18 FIBA Americas in 2010, having solid Nike Hoop Summit as well as nice exposure at Adidas Eurocuamp in 2011 and yet getting rotation minutes in Spanish ACB, considered as second best domestic competitions in the world only beside NBA. In his first serious senior season Nogueira is averaging by far 5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1 block in 12.4 minutes per game for Asefa Estudiantes (12-13). Still having one more year to auto-eligibility, based on drawn hype it seems logical for “Bebe” to take risk, especially that after dominating at private workouts he could emergence even as late first-round pick.
Nogueira’s main assets are undeniably his physical attributions. Measured at 6-11 with outstanding 7-5 wingspan “Bebe” impresses with excellent mobility and agility for a player with his size. He makes good use of his enormous hands, brilliant lateral speed and incredible wingspan particularly on the defensive end, where Nogueira highlights with spectacular rebounds and blocks. Moreover, Brazilian forwards runs the floor well and is always offensive trailer in the transition closing fast-breaks with alley-oops, offensive rebounds or put backs. Although Nogueira is fluid and wiry athlete, he still lacks bulkiness and simply cannot hold his own on the block in isolations defensively.
Offensively, Nogueira’s skill-set is really raw. He doesn’t show any post game neither go-to move. He isn’t serious threat face-up in the midrange area either. Nogueira’s shooting touch is really awful as he barely uses legs in his release with quite poor follow-through. Nevertheless due to his physical tools Brazilian is extremely efficient finisher. Most of his points come from dunks from offensive rebounds, running the floor and cutting to open space to finish simple drive-and-dish with his teammates. What is really worrisome is fact that even once Nogueira receives the ball after establishing deep post-position he doesn’t really look into finish it to the baseline. Somehow avoiding physical fight he prefers to kick the ball out and crash the glass offensively instead of finish it in isolation back to the basket.
Defensively is the area where his game puts him in a rare caliber of big men prospects that are highly desirable by NBA teams. With his size, length, mobility and wingspan Nogueira can make a major impact on the defensive end as a shot-blocker. He is capable of stopping dribble penetrations covering huge amount of the ground and getting low in his stance. In addition Brazilian big man puts big effort in his defensive appearance literally trying to contest each attempted shot in the paint. On the other hand Nogueira needs to learn how to control his energy as sometimes he’s getting up the ground too easily biting up on pump fakes. Due to his skinny frame he gets punished physically on the low-post in isolations by stronger and more experienced forwards in ACB. Anyway he deals pretty well with pick-and-roll defense, displaying proper footwork and timing. Nogueira hedges quickly and recovers to his own man on time, however even forces to switch is capable of contain man on the ball.
Considered as really promising prospect Nogueira could emergence even as a late first-round pick, however the major factor in his evaluation for teams interested in drafting Brazlian big man should be his intangibles. To be honest, Nogueira too often loses his focus, not always seems fully concentrated, while his work ethic is somehow questionable. With that said, the team drafting “Bebe” would need detailed development plan for him, letting Brazilian to gain experience in Europe for couple more years as he doesn’t look either mentally and physically ready for the NBA.
