Position Center Listed weight 265 lb (120 kg) Weight 120 kg League NBA Name Walter Tavares Career start 2009 | Nationality Cape Verdean Role Basketball player Salary 1 million USD (2015) Listed height 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) Height 2.21 m | |
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Born March 22, 1992 (age 32) Maio, Cape Verde ( 1992-03-22 ) NBA draft 2014 / Round: 2 / Pick: 43rd overall Current team Atlanta Hawks (#22 / Center) Similar People Tim Hardaway - Jr, Lamar Patterson, Mike Muscala, Mike Scott, Mike Budenholzer Profiles | ||
Hawks Rookie Walter Tavares 2015-16 NBA D-League Season Highlights
Walter Samuel "Edy" Tavares da Veiga (born March 22, 1992) is a Cape Verdean professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the 43rd overall pick in 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks and has played internationally for the Cape Verde national basketball team. Though considered to be a raw prospect, Tavares is a physical phenomenon, standing 7'3" tall and possessing a 7'9" wingspan.
Contents
- Hawks Rookie Walter Tavares 2015 16 NBA D League Season Highlights
- Early life
- Spain
- Atlanta Hawks
- Raptors 905
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- References
Early life
Tavares was born in Cape Verde on the island of Maio. He did not play any basketball until he was 17 years old, and his talent was discovered by a German tourist who was on vacation in Cape Verde in 2009.
Spain
From 2009 to 2011, Tavares played for CB Gran Canaria's junior team in the Liga EBA. In 2011, he was loaned to UB La Palma of the LEB Oro for the 2011–12 season. In 2012, he returned to Gran Canaria and made his Liga ACB debut on January 6, 2013. He also played three games for La Palma in 2012–13 as well.
In April 2013, Tavares declared for the 2013 NBA draft but later withdrew his name and returned to Gran Canaria for the 2013–14 season.
On June 19, 2014, Tavares re-signed with Gran Canaria on a three-year deal, while still remaining eligible for the 2014 NBA draft.
On June 26, 2014, Tavares was selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the first Cape Verdean-born player to be drafted in the NBA. On August 26, 2014, it was announced Tavares would return to Gran Canaria for the 2014–15 season. During their 2014–15 season, Tavares earned All-EuroCup First Team honors.
Atlanta Hawks
On July 6, 2015, Tavares joined the Atlanta Hawks for the 2015 NBA Summer League. Three days later, he signed a multi-year deal with the Hawks. He made his debut for the Hawks on October 29, recording one point and one rebound in a 112–101 win over the New York Knicks. During his rookie season, using the flexible assignment rule, Tavares received multiple assignments to the Austin Spurs, Canton Charge and Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. On October 31, 2016, he was waived by the Hawks after appearing in one game for the team in the 2016–17 season.
Raptors 905
On November 12, 2016, Tavares was acquired by Raptors 905 of the NBA Development League. On February 6, 2017, he was named in the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 2017 NBA D-League All-Star Game. At the season's end, he was named the recipient of the NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Cleveland Cavaliers
On April 12, 2017, Tavares signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He made his debut for the Cavaliers that night, recording 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in a 99–83 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Tavares did not play at all in the 2017 playoffs due to a hand injury.