The San Antonio Spurs drafted Brazilian-born Spanish citizen Tiago Splitter with their first-round pick in 2007. There are rumblings that the big man, who was the MVP of the ACB Spanish League this season, will make the leap and come overseas to play for the Spurs next season. But as Jorge Sierra of Hoops Hype tweets, Splitter isn't tipping his hand just yet: "Talked a little with Spurs' draftee Tiago Splitter [Monday]. Remains non-committal about the NBA. Plans to play for Brazil this summer." As far as where Splitter would fit in with the Spurs, Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated quotes a scout that says: "Remember how good [Fabricio] Oberto was for the Spurs because he had a great IQ, he knew his role, he was a complementary player? That's what Splitter could be for them -- he'd play a different style but he would have a very similar effect on the team as a complementary guy who would bring some toughness, and he's a pretty good guy who would understand the team concepts. He will do lot of the dirty work and give them the physical style. He's not going to be flash, he's going to be substance." As ESPN's Marc Stein wrote when San Antonio's season ended, the Spurs are hoping Splitter will be part of the team next season: "Sources with knowledge of the team's thinking say the Spurs are increasingly optimistic about their ability to inject their front line with some new blood by convincing Brazilian forward Tiago Splitter -- whom they drafted in 2007 -- to leave the European game to come to the NBA starting next season." Source: SI
