Sergio Llull, PG

Llull's athleticism has earned the attention of NBA scouts. The youngest player on what is recognized as one of the elite international basketball organizations, he is considered to be one of Spanish basketball's brightest prospects, compared by some to Jose Manuel Calderon of the Toronto Raptors.

Llull wasn't expected to make a smooth transition from an LEB team to Real Madrid, but he settled in perfectly and adapted to the needs of a big-name club. Born in Mahon on Nov. 15, 1987, Llull first showed his potential with La Salle Mahon as a 16-year-old. Just prior to his 17th birthday, he scored 71 points in one game.

In 2003, Llull was signed by Manresa, whose B team, CB i Unio Manresana Junior, was his home for the next two seasons. He was part of Spain's U-18 team that captured the gold medal at the 2004 Junior European Championship. Despite starting the 2005-06 season with Finques Olesa, he made his ACB League debut with Ricoh Manresa on Jan. 8, 2006, appearing in 11 games, averaging 8.0 minutes, 2.8 points and 0.5 assists per game.

Although the Manresa team went to the LEB circuit for 2006-07 and Llull was hampered by ankle problems, Real Madrid brought him onboard as a third point guard for its successful playoff run. He made seven appearances in postseason action, logging 11 minutes, as he converted 1 of 2 free throws with three assists and one rebound.

Injuries to Real Madrid's Raul Lopez allowed Llull to explode onto the scene late in the 2007-08 season. In an exhibition game vs. the Toronto Raptors, he scored 17 points, 12 from downtown, en route to a stunning upset win. In 32 ACB League games, he posted averages of 2.8 points, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game. Appearing in 15 ULEB contests, he averaged 2.3 points and 0.4 assists per game.

Llull was listed third on the depth chart at point guard entering the 2008-09 campaign behind Lopez and Pepe Sanchez, but seized a starting opportunity, as he was named the ACB's "Revelation Player of the Season." He scored a career-high 288 points (8.2 per game) with 96 assists (2.7 per game) in 35 ACB games and averaged 6.9 points along with 2.2 assists in 19 Euroleague contests.

Positives: Has greatly improved his overall game, especially shooting from the perimeter, and plays with very good aggression and maturity for a player his age (21) … Makes good decisions with the ball and has a low turnover mark (207 assists to 103 turnovers in 119 games) … Bigger than most international point guards, but has the court vision, quickness and lateral range to easily translate to the wide-open NBA attack … Needs to add strength to compete but can take his man off the dribble and has confidence playing defense off the ball … Shows good balance and a low center of gravity, is able to handle the ball and shoot with either hand … Has greatly improved his release and range -- shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range, compared to 17.1 percent the previous season … Creative playmaker, who has converted on 47 percent of his chances coming off pick-and-roll plays … Has an explosive initial step and shows the hip weave and change of direction agility to slash through and pick apart a pressure defense … Scans the court and creates opportunities for others (assists increased from 60 in 2007-08 to 138 this season) … Has the size to create mismatches vs. most international point guards with a refined high release on his mid-range jumper … Some coaches would want him to get to the line more frequently, but he has been successful at an 80-percent clip for his career (shot 92.6 percent during 2008-09 Euroleague competition) … Sets his feet and gets elevation on his jump shot … Not the strongest player on the court, but shows no flinch using his body to set up the block and has been more determined fighting through screens as he matured than he was in the past … Has the body control and glide when taking the ball on the fast break, charging through double teams to elevate and put down a resounding dunk or executing a swift move with his off-hand from the weak-side to get the defender off-balance … Can fade away and deliver off the dribble … Drives hard to the basket and shows no hesitation in catch-and-shoot situations … Unquestioned floor general who knows when to push the ball up the court and also slow the tempo for an efficient half-court game and shows good court speed to get out in transition.

Negatives: Needs to use his ability to get inside to also get to the free throw line -- is a high-percentage free throw shooter, but averaged 1.3 foul shots per game in his pro career … Has good court speed but he can get out of control pushing the ball up and is still developing a feel for when to change tempo (did a much better job as his minutes increased in 2008-09, as he became comfortable in calling plays) … Works hard to fight through screens, but will struggle doing in the NBA unless he greatly improves his strength (gets into a rhythm where he feathers the ball at the rim rather than aggressively attacking the basket) … Has two years left on his contract which invites a buyout issue with his present club … When boxed out or pushed around underneath, he backs away and settles for mid-range jumpers rather than going strong to the rim … Good ball-handler, but until this season was more of the type that looked to create his own shot rather than look for open teammates.

Compares To: JOSE CALDERON, Toronto -- Llull has been automatic at the free throw line, but he needs to finish strong around the basket and seek contact to get to the charity stripe. He has greatly improved his range and could be used as a combo guard early in his career before settling in at the point. A big draft issue will be if he can obtain a decent buyout from the final two option years in his Real Madrid contract.

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

Llull appeared in a total of 54 games (19 in the Euroleague and 35 in the ACB League), earning ACB "Revelation Player of the Year" honors at Real Madrid … Beat out veterans Raul Lopez and Peper Sanchez for the point guard position, scoring a total of 420 points (7.8 per game) on 77 of 154 two-point field goals (50.0 percent), 59 of 158 3-pointers (37.3 percent) and 89 of 107 free throws (83.2 percent) … Collected 91 rebounds (1.7 per game), 138 assists (2.6 per game), 56 steals (1.0 per game), eight blocked shots and 57 turnovers.

Appeared in 47 games -- 15 in the ULEB and 32 in ACB competition for Real Madrid … Was a reserve point guard most of the year before picking up minutes late in the year when Raul Lopez was injured … Combined, he competed in 412 minutes, scoring 123 points (2.6 per game), with 40 rebounds (0.9 per game), 60 assists (1.3 per game), 18 steals, three blocked shots and 37 turnovers … Made 33 of 61 two-point field goals (54.1 percent), 6 of 35 3-pointers (17.1 per game) and 39 of 53 free throws (73.6 percent).

Appeared in seven playoff games for Real Madrid, but scored just one point (1 of 2 free throws) while coming up with one rebound, three assists and one turnover in eleven minutes of playing time.

Played in 11 games for Ricoh Manresa, appearing for 82 minutes … Scored 31 points (2.8 ppg) on 5 of 12 two-point field goals (41.7 percent), 6 of 11 3-pointers (54.5 percent) and made all three free throw chances … Had four rebounds, six assists, eight turnovers, three steals and one blocked shot.

Since making his professional debut in 2005-06, Llull played in a total of 119 games, including 11 for Ricoh Manresa and 108 for Real Madrid … Logged a total of 1,629 minutes for 575 points (4.8 per game), hitting on 115 of 227 two-point field goals (50.7 percent), 71 of 205 from 3-point range (34.6 percent) and shot 80 percent from the foul line (132 of 165) … Pulled down 136 rebounds (1.1 per game) to go with 207 assists (1.7 per game), 103 turnovers (0.9 per game), 77 steals (0.6 per game) and 12 blocked shots (0.1 per game).

JUNIOR BASKETBALL: Began playing organized basketball with La Salle Mahon as a 16-year-old (2002-03) … Just prior to his 17th birthday, he scored 71 points in one game … From 2003-05, Llull competed for the Ricoh Manresa B team, CB i Unio Manresana Junior … Part of Spain's U-18 team that captured the gold medal at the 2004 Junior European Championship … Began the 2005-06 season with Finques Olesa before he made his ACB League debut with Ricoh Manresa on Jan. 8, 2006.

Born Sergio Llull (pronounced Youll, rhyming with mule) Melia on 11/15/87 in Mahon, Spain … Resides in Menorca, Spain.