VITALS: 6-11, 232, Tau Ceramica, Spain OVERVIEW: The 20-year-old Brazilian has played in Spain the last four years and averaged seven points and 4.5 rebounds in 18 minutes in the Euroleague League for finalist Tau Ceramica this season. He shot 53 percent from the floor but just 49 percent from the foul line. Splitter was the youngest member of the Brazilian team that took gold at the Tournament of the Americas two years ago. He declared for the NBA draft last year but withdrew. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Splitter has been winning converts while playing well in big game after big game. His team advanced to the championship game of the Euroleague before losing and now has advanced to the Spanish League (ACB) final. He is one of just a few true center prospects in this draft, so he is a premium player by most teams. Splitter will have to be considered strongly by Utah picking sixth, but there isn't a team picking anywhere from No. 3 on that wouldn't have to take a hard look at the native of Brazil. It's hard to imagine him getting past the Lakers at No. 10. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Rasho Nesterovic COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Zan Tabak ROLE PROJECTION: Eventual starting power forward or center. POSITIVES: Splitter has excellent dexterity. He is a good but not extraordinary athlete who has good footwork and borders on graceful. He has excellent shooting mechanics and is a threat in the post or facing the basket out to 15 feet. He has played a lot of minutes against the most experienced big men in Europe over the last few months, which will be invaluable to him as he comes into the NBA. He's also used to playing hard without being a centerpiece of his team's offense. SHORTCOMINGS: Splitter weighs no more than 240 pounds, and that is a little light to do battle up front in the NBA. His confidence at the free-throw line waxes and wanes, but he has held up well in the playoffs. He is not a force as a shot-blocker, although he has managed to consistently average about one block per game during the early part of his career.
Whoa...Splitter best quality on defense is shot blocking, he's a very good shot blocker, that is HIS force. Splitter isn't going to out strength the Elton Brand's and the Tim Duncan's, but he has muscle in his body, and he has potential to use that. In my opinion Upside = Tyson Chandler with great potential on offense Downside = Andreis Biedrins rookie year
