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The Boston Celtics have officially signed Brazilian center Vitor Faverani and Missouri point guard Phil Pressey. Terms of the deal were not announced but it is reported Faverani signed a 3-year, $6 million dollar deal and Pressey's deal is for only one year.
Celtics Sign Faverani, Pressey
Faverani, a 25-year old, 6’11" center, played in 23 games for Valencia Basket of the Spanish ACB last season and averaged 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 55.0 percent from the floor in 17.0 minutes per game last season. Faverani also appeared in nine games of the Eurocup competition for Valencia last season and averaged 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game. A native of Porto Alegre, Brazil, Faverani posted his best statistical season for CB Murcia of the Spanish LEB Oro during the 2010-11 where he averaged 14.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in 22.0 minutes over 34 games. He also shot 70.7 percent on all of his two-point field goal opportunities that season.
In only limited available footage of Faverani, he seems to have a solid repertoire of moves on the post and the athleticism to finish strong at the rim. The signing of Faverani does not bode well for the likes of Chris Wilcox, who is currently a free agent. Players like Shavlik Randolph, Colton Iverson, or even Fab Melo, might have to compete with Faverani for a spot on the 15-man roster. Considering the deal is reported at three years, one must wonder if he is actually guaranteed a spot on the team.
Celtics Sign Faverani, Pressey
Pressey, a 5’11" guard, was a member of the 2013 Celtics Orlando Pro Summer League roster where he averaged 9.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 23.0 minutes per game. Pressey played collegiately at Missouri where during the 2012-13 season he was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award which is given to the best point guard in the nation. The Dallas, Texas native averaged a career-high 11.9 points and 7.0 assists per game during his junior season. Pressey was named First Team All-SEC and to the All-SEC Tournament team and finished just one assist shy of the second highest single season mark for assists in SEC history during the 2012-13 season (240). Pressey posted 19 points and 19 assists against UCLA on December 28, 2012 which tied the SEC record for most assists in a single game and was also the highest single game total posted during the 2012-13 season in Division I.
Phil Pressey got off to a rocky start in the summer league with the C's but managed to quickly turn his game around and show why he was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award. In five games, Pressey averaged 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, two steals, and four turnovers per game. The statistics don't do justice for Pressey's ability to play defense. Despite having short arms, he harassed all of his opponents with tenacious press defense up and down the floor. He also possesses very good awareness off the ball and was able to pick off or tip passes to teammates.
Pressey is a high energy point guard that can occasionally get careless with the ball by leaving his feet or attempting an unnecessary no-look pass, but more often than not he'll make plays for his himself and his teammates. I think this move signals that Avery Bradley will primarily play as a two-guard for the Celtics. Bradley has been experimented at the point guard position but seems better served at the two. With Pressey on the roster, the C's have a potentially serviceable point guard to back up Rajon Rondo.
With the roster now at 16 players, Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics have a lot of work to do in order to trim the roster down. With these two signings official, expect more moves in the coming days or weeks from the Celtics.