Lucas Nogueira

Strengths

Right-handed… The athletic 7-footer came into his own in the Under-18 FIBA Americas Championships and Nike Global Challenge where he was able to dominate the competition with his defense. He has great length and a good motor to block shots playing behind the defense or coming from the weak side to swat the shot away. He is a true rim protector. In the U-18 tournament, Nogueira blocked 24 shots and grabbed 36 rebounds in just 88 minutes of playing time… He runs the floor well, using his long strides to get up the court quickly and finish on the break. He can change directions pretty quickly for a man of his size and length… He is a developing offensive player with loads of promise. He has displayed a soft shooting touch and the ability to knock down free-throws to date…

Weaknesses

Rail thin- at 7-feet, 200 pounds, Nogueira needs to add some serious weight to his frame. He should be able to compete against collegiate competition, but his length will not be enough against professional talent in the NBA… Offensively, he is still very raw. His weight and strength become an issue in the low blocks as he often can't garner great low post positioning, but he does use his size and length well around the rim… Some sources surrounding his team claim that he is "lazy" and that his recent-breakout status has gone to his head, making his efforts even less. Focusing on his development is crucial over the next few years, especially with the amount of time