Post by jhb on May 26, 2021 10:31:03 GMT -5
Luis Scola
PF
6'9"
240
22
Argentina
This big is one of the first highly-touted South American players (alongside Nene Hilario also in this class) we've seen so far in the TMBSL drafts and one of the first with big-time game experience prior to TMBSL with his performances is one of Europe's most competitive leagues. He has spent the last two years prior to declaring for the TMBSL draft with Tau Ceramica (Baskonia) of the Liga ACB in Spain. He showed tremendous ability to convert shots from the floor in his time in La Liga and was a tremendous scorer for his team. He can take defenders inside and out, facing up or with his back to the basket. He has an excellent touch around the rim and consistently finds a way to convert a high percentage of his shots and boasts an array of low-post moves and counters and excellent low-block footwork. He has the strength to body with anyone in the post and finishes well when there is contact. He can shoot the turnaround or jump-hook and he's good out to 16 feet with consistency and he runs the court well and can finish in transition. He's done some excellent work on the offensive boards and uses it as an opportunity to continue to score as he is very adept at the tip-in.
How Scola translates defensively is the bigger question and one that has scouts guessing how he'll fit in TMBSL. While he did show some shot-blocking ability in La Liga, he has below average lateral quickness and will struggle with having the speed to be able to block shots from the help-side against slightly more athletic competition. That mobility will also allow some teams to exploit him on switches as he really needs to be kept from having to defend the perimeter if possible. He's also not great as a defensive rebounder, not because of a lack of desire or strength, but because he seemingly has bad instincts for judging the ball off the rim and can get out of position. Offensively, scouts also point out that he isn't a great free throw shooter despite being a frequent visitor at the line, hovering around 60-65% so far in his professional career and looking a bit mechanical when stepping to the charity stripe. He's not much of a passer and when he receives the ball in the post, his teammates should probably be focusing on getting to the offensive boards or back on D because a shot is coming.
