From Deseret News archives:
Araujo is ready to play for pay
So, when the NBA draft rolls around in June, what's to be expected of the big Brazilian? How good is this guy? And how good may he be at the next level?
The answer may be found in looking at his potential — his best days are ahead of him, he will be a first round draft pick, and he has all the tools to be successful, including attitude.
Since Araujo ended his college season at the NCAA regional in Denver, a check with several NBA scouts and two player personnel types solidified pre-draft reports: The big guy will be a coveted selection.
Last week, BYU head coach Steve Cleveland gave his perspective of why Araujo might succeed in the NBA. Speaking at a team banquet, Cleveland said in more than 26 years coaching at every level, he'd never had an athlete improve in every aspect of his game and life than Araujo had in the two seasons he had him.
Four years ago, Araujo came to the United States and barely knew even a few words of English. A soccer player in Brazil, his exposure to basketball was limited through his teen years. In the course of two years in America, he made a mark at an Arizona community college, earned a degree and transferred to BYU. In two seasons, he adjusted to Division I basketball, improved his language skills, elevated his game and earned his bachelor's degree on time, marching in procession with the Class of 2004 last week.
"I have never had a player improve so much in everything he had before him," Cleveland said. "It hasn't been easy for him but he did it because he works hard, he is a driven person and he sets goals and reaches them."
Araujo's strengths are obvious. At 6-foot-11, 285 pounds, he has God-given natural ability and size to play with the big boys. He's developed a myriad of moves around the basket and can hit the mid-range shot with consistency. He is a weight-room junkie and has developed his body to take and deliver the pounding expected of a big man. He's got an aggressive attitude and is hungry to learn.
That's a guy you can coach to get better.
His weaknesses? He's still learning the game. He makes stupid fouls and can have other miscues. He got in foul trouble in JC and at BYU which limited his defensive progress.
Araujo is in Los Angeles now, working out five hours a day with a personal trainer. He is preparing for the NBA's Chicago pre-draft camp June 7. He knows what is at stake.
