Brazilian Junior Creating Interest
Hatila DeSouza, a 6-9, 215 pound power/combination forward from Sao Paulo, Brazil, recently arrived at the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina.
DeSouza had shown great potential already, even though he came to the United States just before Christmas.
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DeSouza is only 17 years old. He is blessed with long arms, excellent mobility, soft touch and quick leaping ability.
"Hatila has active hands and is a great presence around the basket," said Laurinburg coach Rolando De La Barrera. "He's in the infancy of skill development, but I think he is going to be the real deal."
In fact, De La Barrera feels that DeSouza could be as good as one of his former pupils, Panamanian native Jaime Lloreda, who is currently a junior at Louisiana State. Lloreda played for De La Barrera at Berkshire H.S. in Homestead, Fla., just before enjoying an All-American career at Dixie State J.C. in Utah.
"He needs to improve his range on his shot, but he has a tremendous feel for the game," De La Barrera noted. "He handles it just OK, but eventually, it's his goal to be a three man."
Some of his physical attributes suggest that DeSouza might be able to make such a transition, but we especially liked the way he played inside. He's an active tipper on the offensive glass and has a great knack for rebounding the basketball.
"He has excellent timing, and he's very good five to six feet from the basket," De La Barrera said. "He constantly keeps the ball up high, he blocks shots, yet he can also defend out on the perimeter."
De La Barrera said that DeSouza's recruitment is very much open.
Rivalshoops.com plans on catching DeSouza and the Laurinburg team in action again later this winter, and we will keep you posted on this developing Latin American talent.