Winslow Townson-USA Today Sports
On Monday afternoon, it was reported via Marc J. Spears at Yahoo! Sports, that the Boston Celtics and 25-year old Brazilian center Vitor Faverani have agreed in principle to a three-year deal.
Unfortunately for Celtics’ fans, this is not the eye-popping superstar that will help replace the likes of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, but it’s a project signing that could have some profit down the line. Faverani, who entered the 2009 NBA Draft at the age of 21, most recently played for Spain Valencia Basket this past season, averaging 9.3 points on 59% field goal shooting. Faverani was not selected in the NBA Draft back in 2009, but he has improved since — enough to grab the attention ofDanny Ainge and the rest of the Celtics’ brass.
At 6-foot-11, 260 lbs., Faverani is a bruiser and he plays with the type of physicality that he size ultimately suggests. Faverani has decent athleticism and he’s not afraid to attack the rim. At 25 years old though, his ceiling is pretty much matched, so it’s going to be all about what kind of niche he can find in a Celtics’ roster that has continued to remain in flux following the moves that the team has made this off-season.
Faverani won’t be a superstar, but Boston fans should be interested to see what type of impact he may or may not provide. The fact that the Celtics are giving him a three year deal does say a lot about his potential in their rotation, however. Faverani will join a front court that, at this point, looks like this:
Power Forwards: Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, Shavlik Randolph, Kris Humphries
Centers: Kelly Olynyk, Colton Iverson, Vitor Faverani, Fab Melo
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
