Rookie Round Up
A look at why the NBA’s new hopefuls are getting our hopes up…or down
Bueno Choice
Player: Andrea Bargnani
Draft team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Forward
Born: Rome, Italy
Physical stats: 7 feet, 225 lbs.
Game stats: Averaged 10.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for Benetton Treviso (Italy)
Hopeful hi-jinks: Bargnani hails from a country that adores soccer, yet he made headlines when he was drafted in June during the World Cup of Soccer.
“Usually soccer players from Italy get all the attention, but it’s very nice,” he mused. “It’s not a problem.”
Bargnani, the first European player taken first overall, has drawn comparisons to the Dallas Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki because of his size and outside shooting. His strong play during the summer league suggests he’ll live up to expectations.
Consensus: The Raptors made the right choice in a draft that didn’t have an obvious No. 1-pick such as LeBron James or Shaquille O’Neal.
