Davis Bertans, SF

Prior to his arrival at the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit, Nike International Director Rich Shoebrooks told scouts that Bertans was the best pure shooter to play for the Hoop Summit International squad since Dirk Nowitzki.

That caused quite a few talent evaluators to arch their eyebrows. After all, based on his 2010-11 statistics, the Latvian forward had averaged just 6.6 points during 22 games in Europe.

"He's a better shooter than Dirk Nowitzki was at the same age,'' said one NBA scout.

However, considering that he was limited to only fourteen minutes per game in court time, his 65.85 percent shooting from two-point range and ability to make 25-of-51 3-pointers (49.02 percent) showed that Shoebrooks was not embellishing in his assessment of the youngster's scoring skills.

Bertans joined Union Olimpija last season, as the club looked to fortify its roster with an eye on the future by signing the small forward to a multi-year deal. Possesses an impressive reach (8'10") and a lanky frame with just 7.7 percent body fat, the forward was a member of the BK Barons Riga squad in his native Latvia prior to joining Olimpija.

He has solid basketball pedigree, as Bertans is the younger brother of VEF Riga guard Dairis Bertans. Their father is a coach in Latvia, and as a result Davis has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember. "Some people say it's like immediately after the birth I was in the gym,'' he said."My mother said when the ball stopped and there was silence, I was crying; but when somebody was dribbling the ball, I was sleeping.''

Davis averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game this season for the Barons in the Latvian League. He previously starred on the Latvian national team in 2009-10 at the European Under-18 Championships in Lithuania, leading his side to a bronze medal. He was selected to the all-tournament team after recording 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, including a 24-point, 8-rebound effort in the bronze-medal game.

In seven games for Olimpija during the 2010-11 Adriatic League schedule, he had averages of 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists. In the Slovenian League, he pumped in 51 points (5.1 points per game) with 15 boards (1.5 rebounds per game) and had eight steals while playing in 10 games for Olimpija.

Positives … His game has yet to catch up to his physical development, but as he fills out and continues to grow, he definitely displays the quickness to match up vs. four types and cover small forwards … Better served staying over in Europe until he refines lots of rough edges in his game, but he will benefit by playing for a team (Union Olimpija) that is one of the best on the international circuit in training and developing big men … Has a very quick release and good shooting mechanics along the perimeter, but has to deliver better footwork to refine his jump shot … With his size, he has no problem getting a high release vs. small forwards … Has valid range from the NBA-caliber 3-point level (made 49 percent of his treys last year) … Will get in trouble when he keeps the ball on the floor too long, but he has the quick wrist flick to kick the ball out and is a capable passer, despite his low assist production … Does not have a big wingspan, but he has the quick hands to be disruptive in the passing lane … Better when utilized on catch-and-shoot situations, spotting up or coming off screens, as he is quick to get his shot off (not strong enough to drive to the basket and has to compensate) … Has a good face-the-basket game when he squares his body, but must work on refining his foot-work … Very hard worker who seemed like a sponge absorbing instructions from coaches at the Nike Summit … Reminds me a bit of George Gervin for his smooth stroke firing the ball off from the perimeter … Lacks great elevation, but due to his size and finesse, he can get up and over the rim for a decent dunk … As he adds more bulk, he will have better success drawing contact on the way to the basket and it will also help him in creating space to get his shot off … Has the length to alter the opponent's shots when playing along the perimeter … Has enough quickness getting up and down the court to earn some minutes at shooting guard to compensate for a lack of strength needed to play point forward at the next level … Gets bounced out of the paint often, but has the body to continue to add bulk and strength, showing good practice and work habits … Still developing his offensive game under the basket, but has shown very good ability to fire from downtown … Has a smooth, quick release, showing enough range shooting from the perimeter, which helps him compensate for lacking the power to consistently take the ball into the paint … Gets the ball off with suddenness, forcing the defender to stay tight and play him face-up (has the speed to slash to the basket when his opponent gives him a side) … Has enough passing skills to feed the open outlet when facing double teams … Does his best work away the basket from the weak-side, where he gets most of his scoring opportunities, but is starting to become more conscious of angling in and slipping around bigger men to get a fair share of put-backs off the offensive glass … Has shown good timing when given the opportunity to dunk the ball off the fast break (as long as he gets an open lane).

Negatives: Looks very frail at 6-8, 210, but he has had an eight-inch growth spurt during the last two years and once he fills out his frame and adds needed strength, he could be a highly efficient power forward in the Dirk Nowitzki mold, but for now, he could rival Austin Daye and Brandan Wright for the leanest frame in basketball … At the Nike Hoop Summit, he struggled to apply consistent pressure vs. even the smallest of players and needs to develop a much stronger frame to be effective guarding opponents … Lacks that sudden first step to be a quality scorer off the dribble, as he can be bounced back vs. contact …

Struggles to keep the ball on the floor for even a few dribbles and needs to play with a tighter handle to eliminate a potential turnover issue … Better suited for a half court game until he can improve his stamina (wears down if he's playing more than a few moments in an up tempo game) … Along with his lack of strength, he has just an adequate wing span and that combination has led to just mediocre results as a rebounder and shot blocker (also will give him issues in isolation) … Lacks great "hops" and needs to do a better job of setting his feet with his jumper (missed on 7-of-10 attempts at the Nike Summit) … If he gets pressured inside or double teamed, he lacks the drive to get to the basket, forcing him outside, where his jumper can fall flat when he does not get good elevation … Lacks great basketball IQ, taking foolish shots when he should be feeding the ball off.

Compares To: AUSTIN DAYE, Detroit Pistons -- Bertans continues to sprout up, adding eight inches to his frame the last two years, but like Daye, his body is lacking and he'll have to bulk up considerable for his length to be useful. His long-range game is further advanced than most younger prospects, but he lacks the bulk to even play small forward at the NBA level and his lack power concerns me in regards to his ability to play defense, especially in the paint. They call him a great shooter, but one look at his numbers from his inside game, and it fails to impress, I doubt if he will be an efficient two guard at the next level, but if he can get himself into a training program and bulk up, he could give a team a decent 15-20 minutes at point forward.

--Dave Te' Thomas

Appeared in 22 games … For Union Olimpija, he appeared in seven Adriatic League games, scoring 29 points (4.1 points per game) in 62 minutes of court action … For the Olimpija squad, he appeared in 10 Slovenia League games, putting up 51 points while playing 113 minutes …

In five games for BK Baron Riga, he accounted for 65 points (13.0 points per game), 25 rebounds (5.0 rebounds per game) and five blocked shots while staying on the court for 124 minutes in the Latvian League … At the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit, Bertans scored six points on 3-of-10 field goals, adding two rebounds, an assist and a steal for the World Team vs. the United States.

Played in nine games for the Latvian national team at the 2010 U-18 European Champion-ships, as he scored 133 points (14.8 points per game) on 21-of-49 two-point field goals (42.9 percent) and shot 25-of-66 from 3-point range (37.9 percent) … Snared 69 rebounds (7.7 rebounds per game), blocked 16 shots (1.6 bpg), had 10 steals and also delivered 10 assists … His best performance came vs. Serbia, totaling 24 points that included making 6-of-9 3-pointers, coming up with eight boards and a pair of assists.

Saw brief action in two games for ASK Riga in the Baltic League … Played four minutes total, missing on his only 3-point try, as he had one defensive rebound and two personal fouls.

Bertans played in a total of 22 games during the 2010-11 schedule - five for BK Barons Riga and 17 for Union Olimpija … Combined, he logged 299 minutes on the court (13.59 mpg) … Made 27-of-41 two-point field goals (65.85 percent) and 25-of-51 3-pointers (49.02 percent), as he also connected on 16-of-21 free throws (76.19 percent) … Grabbed 49 rebounds (2.23 rebounds per game), including 16 from the offensive glass … Handed out 12 assists and blocked six shots while also coming up with 14 steals (0.64 steals per game) … Had 20 turnovers and 48 personal fouls.

Younger brother of VEF Riga guard Dairis Bertans … Born 11/12/92 in Valmiera, Latvia.