BYU's Tavernari promises defense for Brazil, Cougars

Jonathan Tavernari is in the famed beach city of Rio de Janeiro, working on hoops twice a day as a member of Brazil's Olympic team. And the BYU junior, who never saw a shot he didn't like, reports that he's actually improved his outside shot.

And, get this, Tavernari claims he's improved his defense too. In an update on his summer via e-mail, Tavernari explained the state of his existence — body and soul — this summer.

Tavernari is Brazil's sixth man, and his coach, Moncho Monslave, has him playing the shooting guard position, coming off screens. Quite a switch from the power forward spot he's played for Dave Rose and the Cougars the past two years.

Tavernari is training with 11 other players in preparation for the World Pre-Olympic Qualifier Tournament in Athens, Greece, from July 14-20, where the top three teams will earn a spot in Beijing.

In typical Tavernari fashion, he's a talking, walking sound bite, words coming forth in bunches every minute, like a talking machine gun.

He is the only nonprofessional player on the Brazilian team. He is also the youngest.

"So I get picked on a lot off the court," he said.

His teammates include San Antonio Spurs' draftee Tiago Splitter, now with TAW Ceramica in Spain, and former Cougars' star Rafael Araujo.

"They treat me like their little brother," he said.

This Brazilian gig, Tavernari believes, will make him a better player.

"My outside game has gotten a lot better. My defense has improved, too. I'm having to defend point guards, shooting guards, wings. I mean, I really believe this will help me in my only personal goal this year — to be the best defender.

"Coach Rose and I have talked about this, and it'll be a challenge for me. I know I'll score — I'm a scorer, that's what I do — but my teammates, especially Lee (Cummard) and my coaches, have challenged me to be a stopper."

OK, JT, we'll see.

D-e-e-e-e-fense.

"I've set my mind on that for awhile," Tavernari said.

"My dribbling has to improve. Me finishing at the rim, too. But I also stay after practices working on my midrange game. Coach Rose will need me to be more KT-like (Keena Young) this year, and come Oct. 10, I'll be ready."

Brazil might start Tavernari — depending on matchups — he's been told.

"I like this, playing the two spot. I'm excited about all of this. I remember watching videos of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Karl Malone and the Dream Team driving around and fans following them. And now I'm part of that in my country."