The draft’s international man of mystery, Bismack Biyombo burst onto the scene two months ago much the same way Enes Kanter did- at the Nike Hoops Summit.  Biyombo was the first www.baloncestofuenlabrada.complayer in the game’s star-studded history to record a triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 blocked shots in 28 minutes). Since then, the 18-year old Congolese center has become one of the draft’s most polarizing and fascinating players. The first thing that jumps out at scouts is that Kanter is a freak of nature athletically. He stands 6’9” with a 7’7” wingspan and enormous hands. The second thing that jumps out is his offensive game, which is at best raw and at worst terrible.

Biyombo starting playing professionally at age 15 in Middle Eastern countries like Yemen and Qatar. After 6 months, he was signed by Spanish club Fuenlabrada which brought him up to their first team this past year. In 14 games in Spain’s ACB, regarded as the second best professional basketball league in the world, Biyombo shined. In just 17 minutes per game, he led the league in blocks with 2.3 per game, but it wasn’t only his sheer size and raw shot-blocking ability that drove him to success. His per-40 minute numbers were 15 points, 12 rebounds and over 5 blocks per game and he seemed to pick up on his team’s offensive and defensive playbook quickly. Those numbers were enough to bring the enigmatic 18-year old to Portland for the Hoops Summit, where he turned into a phenomenon almost overnight after his performance.

Off the court, Biyombo is equally intriguing. He is charismatic, outspoken (in 5 languages no less, including English), and mature. So mature (physically and emotionally), in fact, that rumors arose that he may have been as old as 27, but Biyombo and his camp have reportedly provided bone-scans and documents to prove to G.M.’s that he is, in fact, merely 18 years old.

At the defensive end, he is an absolute force. He plays with unrelenting intensity, physicality and athleticism. On offense, however, he is about as raw as it gets. He turned the ball over on 25.8% of his half-court possessions in Spain this year and basically has one post move- crash towards the basket and dunk the ball as hard as he can, which, in his defense, he was able to do 56.1% of the time in Spain. His jump shot is mechanically flawed and ineffective and he shoots a shade over 50% from the free throw line. During a solo workout in Italy last month, Biyombo missed about three-quarters of the outside and mid-range shots that he took, leading one disappointed NBA G.M. to say afterward, “Bismack Biyombo played one-against-none today…and he lost.”

Strengths- Biyombo will provide an immediate rebounding and shot-blocking presence for the team that drafts him. He has off the charts athleticism and measurables, with a longer wingspan than Hasheem Thabeet.  Explosive on offense and defense. Thunderous dunker. Relentless intensity and athleticism, admittedly models his approach after Kevin Garnett. Draws lots of fouls by battling for position in the low-block. Quicker and more-coordinated than most raw-talents. Very active off the ball on the offensive glass. Charismatic and confident on and off the court.  Often keeps the ball in bounds when he blocks shots.

Weaknesses- Alarmingly raw offensive game. Only 6’9”. Turns the ball over far too often. Not a good passer, especially out of a double team. Almost no mid-range shot. His intensity sometimes leads to him being uncontrolled and out-of-position when going for rebounds. Heavily favors his right hand when working in the low-post. Inexperience and turnovers could keep him off the court except for defensive situations.

Summary- Biyombo’s ceiling is as high as a Ben Wallace/Nene type, but he is just as likely to be the next Saer Sene. His rawness and inexperience can scare away some G.M.’s while his rebounding and shot-blocking can make others salivate. Biyombo needs time to develop, no doubt, but in a league that still features Juwan Howard and Kurt Thomas, teams will be willing to take a chance on such an imposing defensive presence. Perhaps no other player in the draft is subjected to such a disparity in draft-projections. He could conceivably go as high as 5 or as low as 22. His best destinations may be Detroit at 8, Houston at 14, Philly at 16 or Minnesota at 20.