NBA Draft 2019: 10 best prospects from Big Ten Basketball
2. Bruno Fernando – Maryland – 6’10 – 20 years old
After a so-so showing at the NBA Combine last year, Fernando returned to Maryland for his sophomore season where he was a double-double machine. He averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game and established himself as one of the better centers in college basketball and in the draft.
In a draft that has a lot of high risk/ high reward prospects, Fernando feels like a generally safe pick. At a minimum, you are getting a player that will play hard inside, fight for rebounds, and block shots. He’s got a strong build to go along with good athleticism. He tested well at this year’s combine in the agility and verticality drills.
Offensively, Fernando isn’t a guy who you can constantly feed in the post. Instead he thrives off of lobs, offensive rebounds, and dump off passes. His athleticism helps him hammer home dunks around the rim. His wide base makes him a good screen setter as well.
For all of Fernando’s strengths, he has his glaring offensive weakness. He has improved his finishing around the rim, but scored over smaller defenders. When guarded by bigger players like Jon Teske, Xavier Tillman or Isaiah Roby, Fernando had a much harder time scoring. His passing has also gotten better but he had a few too many turnovers when doubled in the post.
His jump shot is probably a little better than it gets credit for. He has a pure form and shot a high free throw percentage which suggests he has a chance at extending his range to the NBA three-point line. However, he attempted few threes in college.
Defensively, Fernando is a good shot blocker and area rebounder. Maryland did not have a switching scheme, but there is potential for Fernando to switch onto guards in the pick-and-roll.
While Fernando lacks the length to be Clint Capela, he is certainly in that mold. I see him as a Kevon Looney type player that impacts the game with his intensity and effort. He can step in and make and help a team on day one.
Fernando is clunked together with a bunch of other centers like Nic Claxton and Mfiondu Kabengele the 25-40 range. I can see him going anywhere from late first round to early second.