With the NBA Season now under way, The AOSN decided it was a good time to start yet another “Stud” special but this time for the NBA. The AOSN did one called “Stud Watch” for baseball diamond and will now carry it over to the hardwood. The criteria for this special is simple, they are basketball players who produce “stud like” numbers but don’t get the recognition they deserve. These players aren’t household names, but after this special we are hoping you start paying more attention to these players. So sit back, and enjoy!
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Center
Vucevic was born in Morges, Switzerland and then raised primarily in Belgium where his father, Borislav, played professional basketball. Vucevic came to Simi Valley, California from his native Montenegro in October 2007 to play his senior year of high school at Stoneridge Prep.[5] He came to the U.S. knowing little English, but did speak French, which many of his teammates also spoke. Under coach Babacar Sy, who was an old friend of his father’s, he was team captain and led the team in scoring and rebounding with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Vucevic played three seasons with the Trojans of the University of Southern California.
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Trojans | 23 | 3 | 11.0 | .578 | .000 | .875 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 2.6 |
| 2009–10 | Trojans | 30 | 30 | 32.3 | .504 | .222 | .718 | 9.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 10.7 |
| 2010–11 | Trojans | 34 | 34 | 34.9 | .505 | .349 | .755 | 10.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 17.1 |
In March 2011, Vucevic announced that he would give up his senior year to be submitted to the NBA Draft. The website NBAdraft.net projected him as the 23rd pick in the draft. During his tenure with the Trojans, Vucevic averaged 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He was drafted #16 overall by the 76ers, but was then later traded to the Orlando Magic as a part of the 4 team trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Strengths
- One of the best rebounders in the NBA
- Smooth footwork
- Post-up game improving
- Great pick-and-pop threat
- Shooting is improving
- Focal point of offense
Nikola Vucevic received a 4-year $53 million contract extension before the season started and we are starting to see why the Magic didn’t want to lose him, and by the looks of it he may have came at a bargain price. Not many people saw this coming a few years ago, when he was an essential afterthought in the Dwight Howard trade after coming over from the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, he seems like the easy gem of the deal. The 24-year-old has churned out an All-Star-caliber performance during his fourth season, taking on more of the Magic’s offensive burden and turning into the team’s leading scorer. He has matured in front of everyones eyes during his 4th year of his young career. He is hands down one of the best rebounders in the league, he is aggressive and is a physical monster beneath the rim. His post-up game is improving at a rapid rate and doesn’t look to slow down thanks to his silly smooth footwork, which allows him to work past his defenders and set himself up into a great scoring position. He is able to hit hooks with either had, he can go up-and-under, but his most impressive improvement has to be his play outside the paint. He is a 5-man who can rain down jump shots! He’s hitting 44 percent of his mid-range jumpers. He’s shooting an even more impressive 50.0 percent in catch-and-shoot opportunities, part of why he’s certainly one of the best pick-and-pop centers in today’s NBA.
Photo Credit: David Manning / USA TODAY Sports