Rafael Araújo
Encyclopedia
Rafael Paulo de Lara Araújo, nicknamed "Baby" in Brazil, (ʁafaˈɛɫ aɾaˈuʒu; born August 12, 1980 in Curitiba
) is a Brazil
ian professional basketball
player currently with Franca Basquetebol Clube
.
, Araújo went to the United States
to play college basketball
, attending Arizona Western College
in Yuma, Arizona
. In his freshman season (2000–01), he averaged 12.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he tallied 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, leading the Matadors to a 28-3 record and a top ten national ranking among junior colleges. He was named Region Most Valuable Player and 2nd Team NJCAA All-American.
After finishing his junior college career, Araújo moved to Brigham Young University
in Provo, Utah
where as a junior (2002–03), he averaged 12.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game (second in the Mountain West Conference
). In his senior season, Araújo led BYU in scoring (18.4 points per game), rebounding (10.1 rebounds per game), steals (43 total), and blocked shots (25). He was named Co-Player of the Year in the Mountain West Conference, sharing the honor with Air Force
's Nick Welch. He was named 2nd Team NCAA All-American by Basketball Times and Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press
.
With his size and strength, the 6-foot-11, 295-pound Araújo impressed many pro scouts during his senior season. On December 6, 2003, he dominated a tough Oklahoma State team, totaling 32 points and 17 rebounds in BYU's 76-71 upset victory. He concluded his collegiate career with a 24-point, 12-rebound performance in the Cougars' 80-75 loss to Syracuse
in the NCAA Tournament.
in Indianapolis
, Araújo tested positive for the steroid nandrolone
. He was given a 24-month suspension from international play. He was subsequently found clean during tests while a player at BYU
, and the NBA did not test players for steroid use.
Araújo was involved in multiple on-court incidents during his senior season at BYU. On March 6, 2004, Araújo was reprimanded by the Mountain West Conference (MWC) for hitting UNLV guard Jerel Blassingame
during a 89-88 win. Six days later on March 12, in a 54-51 loss to Utah
, Araujo was charged with a technical foul for elbowing the Utes
' Andrew Bogut
in the head in the MWC Tournament.
selected Araújo with the eighth pick in the 2004 NBA Draft
, making him the first college senior drafted that year. His NBA career was mostly disappointing with him seeing limited action as a rookie, averaging 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. He set a career-high with 14 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings
on January 5, 2005. Days later, on January 9, he scored a career-high 14 points against the Golden State Warriors
. He later matched that total against the Kings on November 25, 2005.
In the 2005-06 season
, he again struggled through a disappointing year and had trouble getting playing time, averaging 11.6 minutes a game, 2.3 points, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting a dismal 36.6% from the field. Shortly after that season, Toronto GM Rob Babcock
was fired, and it was rumored that the firing, in part, had to do with the drafting of Araújo.
On June 8, 2006, Araújo was traded to the Utah Jazz
with an undisclosed amount of money for Kris Humphries
and Robert Whaley
. Many viewed this as a new beginning for Araújo, a chance for him to change the direction of his career. He worked hard in Utah, dropping his weight from 295 to 275 in an effort to improve his athleticism. However, he did not fit in well in Utah's offense, and he played sparingly during the 2006-07 season
. He averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 28 games, averaging only 8.9 minutes per appearance.
Araújo's rookie contract expired after the 2006-07 season, and Jazz owner Larry H. Miller
said publicly that he liked Araújo and hoped he could return to the team the following season. Araújo played for Utah in the 2007 Rocky Mountain Revue
, but the Jazz signed 7-foot-1 Kyrylo Fesenko
during the offseason, filling the roster spot that Araújo held previously. With that opportunity gone, and his NBA career likey over, Araújo signed a 1-year, $500,000 contract to play for Spartak St. Petersburg
in Russia.
Araújo was in training camp with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves
for 2008 but was waived before the 2008-09 season.
In January 2009, Araújo signed with Brazilian club Flamengo
for the 2009 season. The details of his contract were not revealed. He became the star of the club's team alongside Marcelinho Machado. Six months later, at the end of the 2009 season, he signed a deal with Paulistano
for the 2009-10 season, and on June 2010 he transferred back to Flamengo
signing a two-year contract.
Araújo made headlines in January 2011 by shattering a glass backboard
with a powerful dunk during a game in the FIBA Americas League. Video of the play was widely circulated across the Internet.
In June 2011, he signed a deal with Franca Basquetebol Clube
.
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Toronto
| 59 || 41 || 12.5 || .434 || .333 || .782 || 3.1 || .3 || .4 || .1 || 3.3
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Toronto
| 52 || 34 || 11.6 || .366 || .000 || .536 || 2.8 || .3 || .5 || .1 || 2.3
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Utah
| 28 || 0 || 8.9 || .415 || .000 || .621 || 2.4 || .4 || .2 || .1 || 2.6
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 139 || 75 || 11.4 || .405 || .250 || .679 || 2.8 || .3 || .4 || .1 || 2.8
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Utah
| 5 || 0 || 5.6 || .375 || .000 || .417 || 2.2 || .2 || .2 || .0 || 2.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 5 || 0 || 5.6 || .375 || .000 || .417 || 2.2 || .2 || .2 || .0 || 2.2
Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
) is a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player currently with Franca Basquetebol Clube
Franca Basquetebol Clube
Franca Basquetebol Clube is a Brazilian men's basketball club based in Franca, São Paulo state. It was founded on September 4, 1953. They won the Campeonato Sudamericano six times.-History:...
.
College career
After attending Padre Anacleto High School in São PauloSão Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, Araújo went to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to play college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
, attending Arizona Western College
Arizona Western College
Arizona Western College is a public community college located in Yuma, Arizona, United States. AWC offers classes in San Luis, Somerton, Marine Corp Air Station , Wellton, Dateland, and La Paz....
in Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
. In his freshman season (2000–01), he averaged 12.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he tallied 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, leading the Matadors to a 28-3 record and a top ten national ranking among junior colleges. He was named Region Most Valuable Player and 2nd Team NJCAA All-American.
After finishing his junior college career, Araújo moved to Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
where as a junior (2002–03), he averaged 12.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game (second in the Mountain West Conference
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
). In his senior season, Araújo led BYU in scoring (18.4 points per game), rebounding (10.1 rebounds per game), steals (43 total), and blocked shots (25). He was named Co-Player of the Year in the Mountain West Conference, sharing the honor with Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's Nick Welch. He was named 2nd Team NCAA All-American by Basketball Times and Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
.
With his size and strength, the 6-foot-11, 295-pound Araújo impressed many pro scouts during his senior season. On December 6, 2003, he dominated a tough Oklahoma State team, totaling 32 points and 17 rebounds in BYU's 76-71 upset victory. He concluded his collegiate career with a 24-point, 12-rebound performance in the Cougars' 80-75 loss to Syracuse
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in the NCAA Tournament.
Controversy
During the 2002 World Championships2002 FIBA World Championship
The 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Araújo tested positive for the steroid nandrolone
Nandrolone
Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid that may be present naturally in the human body, albeit in minute quantities of less than 0.4 ng/ml. Nandrolone is most commonly sold commercially as its decanoate ester and less commonly as a phenylpropionate ester...
. He was given a 24-month suspension from international play. He was subsequently found clean during tests while a player at BYU
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
, and the NBA did not test players for steroid use.
Araújo was involved in multiple on-court incidents during his senior season at BYU. On March 6, 2004, Araújo was reprimanded by the Mountain West Conference (MWC) for hitting UNLV guard Jerel Blassingame
Jerel Blassingame
Jerel Blassingame is an American professional basketball player. He is 1.77m in height and plays at point guard.-Amateur career:...
during a 89-88 win. Six days later on March 12, in a 54-51 loss to Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, Araujo was charged with a technical foul for elbowing the Utes
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
' Andrew Bogut
Andrew Bogut
Andrew Michael Bogut is an Australian professional basketball player. He plays for the Milwaukee Bucks of the United States' National Basketball Association....
in the head in the MWC Tournament.
Professional career
The Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
selected Araújo with the eighth pick in the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
, making him the first college senior drafted that year. His NBA career was mostly disappointing with him seeing limited action as a rookie, averaging 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. He set a career-high with 14 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
on January 5, 2005. Days later, on January 9, he scored a career-high 14 points against the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. He later matched that total against the Kings on November 25, 2005.
In the 2005-06 season
2005-06 NBA season
The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. It began on November 1, 2005 and ran through April 19, 2006...
, he again struggled through a disappointing year and had trouble getting playing time, averaging 11.6 minutes a game, 2.3 points, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting a dismal 36.6% from the field. Shortly after that season, Toronto GM Rob Babcock
Rob Babcock
Rob Babcock is an assistant general manager with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. He is most notably remembered as the former general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Brothers Pete and Dave are also employed by the NBA....
was fired, and it was rumored that the firing, in part, had to do with the drafting of Araújo.
On June 8, 2006, Araújo was traded to the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with an undisclosed amount of money for Kris Humphries
Kris Humphries
Kris Nathan Humphries is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's New Jersey Nets. He became an unrestricted free agent in 2011.-Early life:...
and Robert Whaley
Robert Whaley
Robert Antawon Whaley is an American professional basketball player at the center position, formerly in the NBA.-College:...
. Many viewed this as a new beginning for Araújo, a chance for him to change the direction of his career. He worked hard in Utah, dropping his weight from 295 to 275 in an effort to improve his athleticism. However, he did not fit in well in Utah's offense, and he played sparingly during the 2006-07 season
2006-07 NBA season
The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 31, 2006 and ran through April 18, 2007. The league fielded 30 teams, each playing an 82 game regular season schedule. The top eight seeds from each conference reached the NBA...
. He averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 28 games, averaging only 8.9 minutes per appearance.
Araújo's rookie contract expired after the 2006-07 season, and Jazz owner Larry H. Miller
Larry H. Miller
Lawrence Horne "Larry H." Miller was a Utah businessman and philanthropist who was well known as the owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz and the of Triple-A baseball team, the Salt Lake Bees, 41 automotive dealerships throughout the Western United States , and a variety of other business ventures...
said publicly that he liked Araújo and hoped he could return to the team the following season. Araújo played for Utah in the 2007 Rocky Mountain Revue
Rocky Mountain Revue
The Rocky Mountain Revue, until 2008, was one of the NBA's summer leagues, along with the Vegas Summer League and the Orlando Pro Summer League. It is hosted by the Utah Jazz. It started in 1984 as a pro-am league with students and alumni of Utah, BYU, Weber State and Utah State...
, but the Jazz signed 7-foot-1 Kyrylo Fesenko
Kyrylo Fesenko
Kyrylo Fesenko is a Ukrainian professional basketball player. He is a 7'1" and 280 lb center.-Ukrainian career:Born in Dnipropetrovsk, Fesenko began his basketball career in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague, first with the second division team of BC Azovmash in 2003 then to its first division...
during the offseason, filling the roster spot that Araújo held previously. With that opportunity gone, and his NBA career likey over, Araújo signed a 1-year, $500,000 contract to play for Spartak St. Petersburg
Spartak Saint Petersburg
BC Spartak Saint Petersburg is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The club is currently in the Russian Professional Basketball League.-Honors:*Soviet/Russian Super League:**2 times Champions...
in Russia.
Araújo was in training camp with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
for 2008 but was waived before the 2008-09 season.
In January 2009, Araújo signed with Brazilian club Flamengo
Flamengo Basketball
Flamengo's Basketball team is a Brazilian professional team, part of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo family.-Roster:-Noted coaches:*Miguel Angelo da Luz*Paulo Teixeira Sampaio "Chupeta"*Togo Renan Soares "Kanela"...
for the 2009 season. The details of his contract were not revealed. He became the star of the club's team alongside Marcelinho Machado. Six months later, at the end of the 2009 season, he signed a deal with Paulistano
Club Athletico Paulistano
Club Athletico Paulistano - generally known as just Paulistano - is a sports and social club from the Brazilian metropolis São Paulo located in the quarter of Jardim América, close to the city. The club was founded on 29 December 1900 for the purpose of playing association football...
for the 2009-10 season, and on June 2010 he transferred back to Flamengo
Flamengo Basketball
Flamengo's Basketball team is a Brazilian professional team, part of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo family.-Roster:-Noted coaches:*Miguel Angelo da Luz*Paulo Teixeira Sampaio "Chupeta"*Togo Renan Soares "Kanela"...
signing a two-year contract.
Araújo made headlines in January 2011 by shattering a glass backboard
Backboard shattering
A backboard shattering is an accident or stunt in basketball. It occurs when a player slam dunks the ball hard enough to break the fiberglass of the backboard. The stunt has caused games to be canceled or delayed, serious injuries to occur and expensive costs of clean up and replacement...
with a powerful dunk during a game in the FIBA Americas League. Video of the play was widely circulated across the Internet.
In June 2011, he signed a deal with Franca Basquetebol Clube
Franca Basquetebol Clube
Franca Basquetebol Clube is a Brazilian men's basketball club based in Franca, São Paulo state. It was founded on September 4, 1953. They won the Campeonato Sudamericano six times.-History:...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 59 || 41 || 12.5 || .434 || .333 || .782 || 3.1 || .3 || .4 || .1 || 3.3
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 52 || 34 || 11.6 || .366 || .000 || .536 || 2.8 || .3 || .5 || .1 || 2.3
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Utah
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 28 || 0 || 8.9 || .415 || .000 || .621 || 2.4 || .4 || .2 || .1 || 2.6
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 139 || 75 || 11.4 || .405 || .250 || .679 || 2.8 || .3 || .4 || .1 || 2.8
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| align="left" | Utah
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 5 || 0 || 5.6 || .375 || .000 || .417 || 2.2 || .2 || .2 || .0 || 2.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 5 || 0 || 5.6 || .375 || .000 || .417 || 2.2 || .2 || .2 || .0 || 2.2
External links
- Men's Basketball Athlete Profile - Rafael Araujo @ byucougars.com
- NBA Draft Busts
- Player profile @ Flamengo.com.br
- Ex-Toronto Raptor Rafael Araujo shatters backboard in Brazil (Video)