Walter Tavares NBA Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Hawks Rookie

Drafted by: Atlanta Hawks, 43rd pick overall

Country: Cape Verde
Height/Weight: 7'3", 265 lbs
Age: 22 years old
Projected NBA Position: Center
Pro Comparison: Unathletic Tyson Chandler
Twitter Handle: @waltertavares22

Hailing from Praia, Cape Verde, and boasting the tallest frame in the 2014 NBA draft is Walter Tavares, a 7'3" center who last played for Gran Canaria of the ACB League.

His overwhelming height and 265-pound frame drove his NBA appeal throughout 2013-14 and enhanced his draft stock.

Tavares played just 21 minutes per game for Gran Canaria, but he played efficiently against top European competition and made an impact on both ends of the floor. The best news is that he's just getting started. He started playing basketball (in any capacity) in 2010, which means he could still improve significantly.

How do his talents and potential translate to the Association?

MIN	PTS	REB	BLK	FG%
21.2	6.0	6.8	1.5	.585

PHYSICAL TOOLS

We mentioned that he's 7'3", and that can't be underestimated. Scoring above the rim is an afterthought to him, as his standing vertical reach looks to be at least in the 9'6" range.

Photo via @waltertavares22 Twitter

In many instances, you can get away with being a below-average athlete when you're as massive as Tavares. His tall stature is complemented by a solid 265-pound physique, one that can handle the physicality of the jungle that is the NBA paint.

Tavares isn't going to win any foot races (well, probably against Roy Hibbert), and he's not much of a leaper at all. His playing style doesn't rely on explosive bursts or tremendous body control while in the air.

Consequently, he'll be overmatched when squaring off against the more athletic reserve centers in the league. Fortunately, he moves pretty well from point A to point B in transition and during defensive recoveries.

CORE STRENGTHS

Defensive Presence

Using his massive strides, long arms and solid body, Tavares will hold his own defensively in the NBA.

He may not get much liftoff, but his size and instincts serve him well as a low-post stopper and rim protector. Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress.com notes that the big fella has "tremendous timing, especially considering his experience level."

His 1.5 blocks per games in 2013-14 translates to 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes, and that doesn't account for how many shots he alters or even deters throughout each contest.

On lateral defensive sequences, Tavares does surprisingly well. He's not quick, yet he makes up ground and does a nice job defending the pick-and-roll and contesting shots. His defensive outlook is bright.

Rebounding Ability

Tavares will make an impact on the game doing the dirty work, and he'll do it simply by covering a ton of space with his reach and his wide base.

On the boards, he's a tough matchup for anybody. He boxes out with an expansive stance, and even when opponents get inside position, he outreaches them for easy rebounds. 

His effort, awareness, strength and length will make him a factor on the offensive glass just as much as the defensive side in the NBA. Plays that would normally take an extraordinary leap or contortion from most players are a comfortable grab for him.

The best athletes in the NBA will find ways to outmaneuver him, but for many centers, he'll pose problems.

Efficient Offense

He's not going to supply offense via acrobatic plays or advanced low-post moves, but Tavares will make an impact by scoring in pick-and-rolls and drawing fouls.

In the pick-and-roll, he'll do a good job of setting solid screens. More importantly, he'll catch and finish quickly, with a minimal number of strides and little wasted movement.

When he gets the ball in the post off pick-and-rolls, post-ups or cuts, he might not be able to finish adroitly on a consistent basis. However, he's going to draw plenty of fouls from undersized players trying to contest his shot or prevent layups.

And when he gets fouled, he'll convert at the charity stripe, as he drilled 72 percent of his free-throw attempts in 2013-14.

WEAKNESSES/CONCERNS

The two biggest concerns surrounding Tavares are the same concerns about most unathletic giants.

First, he's going to struggle to hang with NBA-caliber athletes for long stretches. He only scores in the post when he's right near the rim, and leapers can often block his shots. On the other end, there will be plenty of times when his size alone won't stop opponents. Their lateral quickness and shiftiness will pose problems, and their athletic agility will outclass his.

The other notable issue is durability. He's far bigger than most NBA post players, and he may not have the kind of game-to-game stamina his squad hopes.

As far as weaknesses go, he's still learning about effective post moves, as well as proper defensive positioning. We can expect significant, but not dramatic progress in these areas.

NBA PROJECTION

Immediate Projection

It will take some time for Tavares to adjust to the speed and elite athleticism of the NBA. And remember, he's still in the early stages of his knowledge and understanding of the game. So he won't have a substantial role at all even if he looks good in training camp.

That being said, he could find minutes and touches based on his size. His 7'3" frame will immediately translate, and he'll serve as a uniquely colossal newcomer in an era of small ball.

Long-Term Projection

It's difficult to project exactly how much Tavares will improve over the next three-to-five years. But at the very least, it's safe to assume he'll be a quality backup center, possessing the tools to protect the rim and operate the pick-and-roll.

We've seen mammoth big men like Roy Hibbert exceed their early-career expectations, utilizing their surplus of length and bulk to wear down opponents. Tavares could be a quicker, but slightly less-skilled version of Hibbert.

If Tavares can grasp the nuances of offense and maintain basic defensive positioning, it's not crazy to think he could play 20-plus minutes.