RIVERA, Filiberto
STRENGTHS: Short point-guard with excellent change of direction. Team-first player, he sets the tempo well, he likes to run but he can slow things down too without making many mistakes. His main quality is his passing skills, especially in the open court. Has court vision and acute leadership. Quick and long-armed; he’s a threat for steals and change of speed to drive in. He draws fouls and regularly goes to the line. NBA range.
WEAKNESSES: He has talent but his attitude is suspect. He tends to dribble a lot without giving rhythm to the offense. Playground style, he has a lot of personality, not easy to handle. On offense, he doesn’t take enough advantage of his ability to drive, settling too easily for shots from the arc, where he’s inconsistent. Does not work hard on defense.
CAREER: Puerto Rican, he played in his home country before moving to the USA to play in a junior college in Iowa and then at UTEP. In this little traditional college, he did extremely well, especially as a senior (13.5ppg, 7.2apg in 2004-05). Invited at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, he was not picked by the NBA and he ended up in Germany. Average in Italy, he went back to Germany with Bamberg (10pts, 3.2ass) in 2008-09. Signed for Hasharon, Israel, in summer 2010.
EVALUATION: Difficult player to evaluate in a team where he can’t run and has to control himself, alternating with the 2 position as well, which is not his role. The potential is definitely there: passing skills, ball-handling ability, attributes. However, there are doubts on his will to leave it out on the floor and work on defense. He has talent but he has to mature.
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OVERALL : | | (F)
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