According to NBADraft.net, the team with the 5th pick may very well
draft this 6'10 big man from Brazil...

NBA Comparison: Drew Gooden

Strengths: A very active bigman, good athlete with excellent size,
agility. Improved dramatically in the past few years. His jump shot
has really developed lately. Very creative offensive player, with
soft touch. Solid shot blocker, rebounder. Lets the game come to him,
and takes instruction well. Very charismatic personality, similar
(surfer) attitude to Brazilian tennis star Gustavo Kuerten, very laid
back, but not to the point where he isn't motivated. Has the
versatility to play the small forward position at 6-10.

Weakness: Still learning the game and has moments of inconsistency.
Still seems to be "growing into his body" and figuring out his
abilities.

Making his debut on the Brazilian team this year, this young fella
called the attention of everybody in the South-American tournament,
including the Vancouver Grizzilies scouts who were there. With his
great size, (growing like crazy) and long arms, he is a presence on
both the offensive and defensive boards and making blocks. Playing
with such of enthusiasm, he runs the floor like a guard. Motivation
and intensity are the key words to define him.

Weakness - Despite his numbers in the Paulista Tournament being very
good (20.0 ppg and 13.0 rpg) his offense can improve. He needs to
become stronger to play at the power-foward position.

-Vinicius Fontana

Strengths: Varejao is a decently athletic player who runs the floor
with ease ... Plays the game at a high energy level as he is always
active ... Intense player who will hustle to grab any loose balls
that come his way ... Has become a much better shooter from the
perimeter where he has shown the ability to make the three point
shot ... Possesses all the physical and mental tools to be a great
rebounder ... Has shown some promising offensive moves when facing
the basket ... Efficient offensive player who understands what his
strengths are on offense and rarely exceeds them ... Shows a solid
work ethic where he has displayed considerable improvement in every
facet of the game over the past two years ... Moves well without the
ball ... Varejao possess soft touch around the basket where he has
range out to 14 -16 feet ... Has a huge upside as he has only
scratched the surface of his potential ... Plays the passing lanes
decently thanks to his great footspeed and lateral quickness ...

Weakness: Offensively his game lacks polish as his back to the basket
skills are underdeveloped ... From a fundamental standpoint he is
still learning the game ... Due to the intensity level that he plays
with, he has a tendency to pick-up quick fouls ... Varejao needs to
gain more upper body strength due to the physical nature of the NBA
game ... Ball handling can improve as he tends to get careless with
the ball on offense ... Although he has shown some good court vision,
his passing skills are below average as double teams can trouble
him ... Struggles at the free throw line ... Perimeter shooting has
greatly improved but not to the point where he is a consistent
threat ... Post footwork could stand improvement as it can be sloppy
at times ... Decision making on the court remains questionable ...
While he has shot blocking ability, his timing isn't all that solid
when it comes to anticipating his opponent ...

-Matthew Maurer



Made a switch in midseason to F.C. Barcelona in Spain, making his ACB
(Spanish League) debut February 10, 2002.

Had been having a fantastic season in his native Brazil for Franca
Sau Paulo.

A member of the Brazilian National Team and a former member of
Brazil's Junior National Team.

Earned a bronze medal with Brazil at the 2001 Goodwill Games.
In the 106-98 overtime loss to the United States in the semifinals,
tallied seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in
23 minutes of playing time.

Is the younger brother of Sandro Varejao, who played in the Big East
Conference at West Virginia.

In his second game with F.C. Barcelona in ACB play, scored six points
and grabbed nine rebounds in only 19 minutes vs. Gijon.

Through nine games of Euroleague play, averaged 4.7 points and 4.0
rebounds in 13.4 minutes. Tallied 10 points and seven rebounds in 20
minutes vs. Benetton Treviso of Italy.

Contributed eight points and six rebounds in 22 minutes vs. Scavolini
Pesaro.

Prior to moving to F.C. Barcelona in February, was dominating the
Brazilian League in his first season at the top level. Averaging 17.7
points, 9.7 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Was named MVP even though he left in February to play in Spain.

Previously played for Franca Marathon, the Franca team in the second
division.

Led that team to a 24-4 record during the 2000-01 season.

-nba.com

World Championship stats: 9.2 pt, 5.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 38.2 2pt-FG%,
40.0 3pt-FG%, 57 FT%, 2.0 blk, 1.1 stl, 9 games, 27 min