Victor Claver, PF

While his basketball skills have yet to catch up to his impressive athleticism, Claver's leaping ability has made him a fan favorite throughout the European and Spanish League circuits. His high flying skills were evident than when he won the Slam Dunk contest at the 2008 ULEB Cup Tournament.

However, Claver missed more than four months of the 2008-09 campaign after undergoing surgery in early December 2008 to repair a left leg fracture that he suffered in Eurocup action vs. Fortitudo Bologna. He returned in April for the Spanish ACB League playoffs, but his draft status could be affected by his injury as well as his team's recent announcement on May 26 that he signed a new three-year contract with Pamesa Valencia. The deal does include a buy-out clause if he chooses to pursue National Basketball Association endeavors.

Claver began his playing career as a cadet with the Marist CD club from 2001-03. He later played for the Pamesa Valencia cadet team in 2003-04, joining their junior squad the following year. He continued to play with the junior team and in EBA competition in 2005-06 before joining the big club.

In 2006-07, Claver appeared in 23 games for Pamesa Valencia, including 19 contests in ACB competition. In his first 10 games with the squad, he scored only one point in 41 minutes of action. In his last 11 games, he was used more often off the bench, averaging 15.2 minutes per game, adding 89 more points to his season total. He would finish the season with an average of 3.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.3 blocked shots per game, shooting 53.2 percent from the field.

In 2007-08, Claver competed in 38 contests, including 34 regular-season (ACB) games. He averaged 17.6 minutes per game (compared to a final average of 9.0 minutes the previous season). He shot 57.8 percent from two-point range and 36.6 percent from three-point range, averaging 6.2 points per game. He pulled down 116 rebounds (3.1 rpg), chipping in 37 assists to go with 22 steals.

The following year, Claver competed in eight games for Spain's U-20 team at the European Championships, averaging 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shooting 63.2 percent from two-point range and 36.8 percent from three-point range while making 72.0 percent of his shots from the foul line. He played in 18 games for Pamesa Valencia in the Spanish ACB League, compiling 137 points (7.6 ppg) on 59.2 percent shooting from the floor, adding 81 boards (4.5 rpg), 21 steals and 11 assists. That season was cut short due to the leg injury he suffered in Eurocup play. In four games on that circuit, he averaged 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Positives: While his game has yet to mature, especially on the offensive side, Claver has very good strength, quickness and elevation … Has the long wingspan and very good timing working around the basket, where he is comfortable putting down a resounding dunk or going up for put-backs … Shows good spin moves that he uses regularly for the reverse dunk near the baseline … Explosive coming off his feet and looks very fluid when elevating … Also has the lateral agility to move off the ball and create space for himself to take the spot-up shot … Needs some technique refinement, but has a developing perimeter stroke … With his length, it makes it hard for the opponent to contest his jumpers … Smooth open-floor runner who might lack accuracy, but shows good outside shooting range to slowly develop into an adequate NBA-caliber three-point shooter … Despite his size, he can stay low and shows good balance with a sudden first step to get by his man on the way to the rim … Not the type that will spend much time getting his shot off, especially from three-point range, showing a quick release and a high release point … More comfortable with his offensive game when facing the basket, where his size and reach let him get off a decent jumper or take the ball to the corners to execute the difficult shot … Likes to put the ball on the floor for a few dribbles, creating mismatches vs. the smaller forwards with his quick initial step … When operating in the low post, he is capable of firing out crisp passes … Has the lateral quickness on help defense to rotate to the open man, getting into position well in attempts to disrupt the opponent's shot … Makes sharp cuts to the basket and knows how to speed up his release when pressured … Adequate ball handler with good vision and execution firing the ball out to the open man to escape from double-team pressure … Good moving around the court without the ball in his hands, taking good angles while cutting to the basket to put in the soft lay-up … Had problems defending vs. faster defenders at small forward in 2006-07, but when he moved to power forward the following year, his perimeter game and face-the-basket skills are now much more polished … Has shown steady improvement shooting from long range coming off the dribble … The best part of his game remains his defense … Moves his feet well and fights hard to establish position when trying to disrupt the opponent's shot process … Uses his vertical ability well to be disruptive under the basket … needs to develop better knee bend guarding at the perimeter, but compensates with lateral agility in attempts to stay in from of the shooter … Showed early in 2008 that he has begun to trust his power moves to the rim better, doing a nice job of finishing around the basket (shot 63.2 percent from the floor for Spain in the U-20 European Championships) … Efficient rebounder who plays with good basketball IQ, using his length well to get up and secure the ball at the top of the rim … Has a developing jump shot, but must continue to develop a better arc underneath his perimeter attempts (has NBA-type three-point range, but lacks accuracy because he will line drive the ball at times).

Negatives: Recently signed a three-year contract extension (on 5/26/09) with Pamesa Valencia and there could be a hefty buy-out issue … Offensive game is very erratic, as he lacks the strength to pound his way inside to draw contact and rarely gets to the line … More comfortable just dunking the ball, as he has perimeter shooting ability, but is too intent on fading away from the basket to put up those long-range shots, where he lacks consistency (34.9 percent shooter) … Might have to play the power forward position in the NBA, but while he has excellent quickness he lacks a strong base (seemed to be developing good wing skills in 2008 before suffering his left leg injury, but lacks the lateral quickness you look for in a three-forward type) … On the rare times he does get to the foul line, he will put up a few clunkers, lacking a good arch or a high release point (65.1 percent shooter) … Still young and lacks confidence, as he will let a bad play linger, taking his mind out of the game … Not creative with the ball in his hands and would much rather pass the ball out of the post to a teammate than drive to the basket … Seems to be passive when needing to create his shot off the dribble … Takes too many off-balanced shots, as he needs to refine his footwork and square his shoulders better before shooting … Looks hesitant what he should do with the ball when pressured, showing little confidence in his mid-range shot with a defender in his face … It is very rare to see him shoot with his off-hand, making his offensive game too predictable … Has good lateral agility, but must stay lower in his stance, as he gets too narrow, causing him to trip over his feet when changing direction … Missed more than four months of the 2008-09 season after undergoing surgery to repair a left leg fracture in early December. Despite averaging 15.7 minutes of action in the nine games he appeared in upon his return, his patented court quickness had disappeared and he scored more than five points in just one of those contests.

Compares To: DARRELL ARTHUR, Memphis -- Like Arthur and Toronto's Jason Kapono, Claver is stuck between being a small and power forward. He has excellent athletic ability, good foot speed, great length and developing frames, but has yet to develop a strong offensive game. He lacks lateral quickness you look for in a three-forward type and is quite thin in regards to playing the power position. He missed more than four months of this past season with a left leg fracture and hurt his draft stock when he agreed to a three-year contract with his parent club on May 26, making it a costly buyout for an NBA team that might want his services next year. He is a good defensive presence with the speed to cover power forwards on the perimeter, but does struggle vs. the smaller opponents, making him a slight-frame power forward that is more suited for the three-spot. However, he lacks the ability to stay with his man there on defense. On offense, he can create mismatches, but can't create his own shot. Like Kapono, it will be his defense and athleticism that gets him drafted, but he might be better suited returning to the European ranks and testing his leg out next year while also using that time to constructively work on his offensive game.

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

Claver shifted to small forward, appearing in four Eurocup games and 18 more contests in the Spanish ACB League … Suffered a left leg fracture on Dec. 2 vs. Fortitudo Bologna and underwent surgery, as he did not return to action until March 10 vs. Hemofarm … His statistics for both levels of competition consistent of 147 points (6.7 ppg), as he shot 58.6 percent from two-point range (34 of 58), made 17 of 48 three-pointers (35.4 percent) and was successful on 66.7 percent of his free throws (28 of 42) … Grabbed 91 rebounds (4.1 rpg), as he handed out 17 assists (0.8 apg), to go with eleven blocked shots and 21 steals (1.0 spg).

Played in 38 games, including 14 contests in ULEB Cup competition, taking over power forward duties … Combined for 667 minutes of action, as he amassed 234 points (6.2 ppg) on 57.8 percent shooting on 59 of 102 field goals, hitting 36.6 percent of his three-point shots (26 of 71) … Successful 65.5 percent of the time from the free-throw line (38 of 58), as he turned the ball over 52 times and was charged with 70 personal fouls … Credited with 37 assists, 22 steals and nine blocked shots … Had eight games that he scored in double digits, twice scoring at least 20 points.

Appeared in a total of 23 games for Pamesa Valencia, including 19 in ACB competition … Saw limited action until the final 11 contests, finishing with 90 points (3.9 ppg), as he shot 61.5 percent from the free-throw line (16 of 26), made 8 of 27 three-point attempts (29.6 percent) and 25 of 47 from two-point range (53.2 percent) … Grabbed 26 rebounds (1.1 rpg) to go with 10 assists, eight steals and seven blocked shots … Charged with 12 personal fouls and 23 turnovers … Scored in double digits three times.

Competed in a total of 41 games, including 18 with DKV Joventut and 23 more with Club Basketball … Averaged 12.3 points per game (504), as he shot 62.5 percent from two-point range (222 of 355), 35.4 percent from three-point range (17 of 48) and 59.3 percent from the foul line (239 of 403) … Snatched 309 rebounds (7.5 rpg), as he tallied 109 from the offensive glass … Handed out 20 assists while tacking on 41 steals and 29 blocked shots.

In three seasons at Pamesa Valencia, Claver played in 83 contests, averaging 16.1 minutes per game … Scored 471 points (5.7 ppg), as he made 118 of 207 two-point field goals (57.0 percent) and 51 of 146 three-pointers (34.9 percent) … Shot 65.1 percent from the foul line (82 of 126), as he had 111 turnovers (1.3 tpg) and 125 personal fouls (1.53 fpg) … Grabbed 233 rebounds (2.8 rpg), including 59 from the offensive glass … Dished out 64 assists (0.8 apg), as he added 51 steals (0.6 spg) and 27 blocked shots (0.3 bpg).

2008-09 Season: Suffered a left leg fracture, along with damage to his knee and ankle vs. Fortitudo Bologna (12/04). Underwent surgery the next day and did not return to the court until Pamesa's 3/10 contest vs. Hemofarm.

Born 8/30/88 … Resides in Valencia, Spain.