LEANDRINHO BARBOSA

Position: PG Country: Brazil Pro Club: Bauru Tilibra Ht., Wt.: 6'3, 190 Selected by San Antonio Spurs Round 1, pick 28 (28 overall) Traded to Suns

BIO: The 20-year-old Barbosa is considered one of the best foreign point guard prospects in the draft. He averaged 28.2 points this past season in his native Brazil for Bauru Tilibra, second only to legendary Oscar Schmidt, who is now 45. Barbosa shot 45 percent on 3-pointers, although he is not considered a great shooter. Barbosa is a flashy passer and ballhandler, sometimes too much so for his own good. Barbosa also spent time on Brazil's national team at the 2002 World Championships and logged just 21 minutes of action. ANALYSIS: Barbosa is aggressive and likes to attack, whether he's beating defenders off the dribble or pushing the ball down court on the break. He's a great athlete with exceptional quickness and leaping ability to go along with fine ball-handling skills. Barbosa needs work on the mechanics of his jump shot so he can become more consistent, and like most rookies, will have to spend time in the weight room to increase his strength. POSITIVES: Barbosa is a terrific athlete with above-average size for the point guard position. He has developed into a fine outside shooter, can find the open man and has quick hands for steals. NEGATIVES: Basketball in Brazil is like street ball in the United States. Nobody runs offensive systems, and defense means bothering to make the trip to the other end of the floor. Consequently, Barbosa has never played truly organized basketball. At just 20 years old and not having a good handle of the English language, the transition to the NBA could be a difficult one. PROJECTION: Mid First Round