Overview

EuroLeague basketball continues to close the gap on the North American brand of the game, as Fernandez carries on the tradition of long-range shooters to emerge from the other continents in recent years. The 22-year-old has been playing professional basketball since 2001 and is regarded as the best shooting guard in Europe.

In 2001, Fernandez earned second-team honors at the European Cadets Championships, leading the Spanish National Team to the Bronze medal. He moved on to DKV Joventut for the 2003-2004 season, averaging 11 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 28.1 minutes per game. He helped his team qualify for the playoffs in the Spanish ACB League.

In the King's Cup, featuring the best teams of the ACB competition, Joventut advanced to the final and Fernandez averaged more than 14 points and five rebounds per game to become the key player for his team. At the ULEB Cup, he averaged 9.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, but DKV Joventut could not get past the quarterfinals.

During the summer of 2004, he earned a spot on the Spanish National Team, playing in the Olympic Games. He was also named MVP of the 2004 Spanish Cup. He was bothered by minor injuries during the 2005-06 campaign, as he averaged 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2 steals in 29.7 minutes per game during ACB competition. In the ULEB Cup, Fernandez finished with 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and just 1.6 assist in 23.2 minutes per game after five contests played.

Fernandez spends his off-hours teaching children in basketball techniques. His parents also played basketball and his sister Marta Fernandez, is one of the best players in Spain. He declared for the 2005 NBA Draft, but withdrew his name after he was told he would not be chosen in the first round.

In 2006-07, he started 33 of 34 games, shooting 55.9 percent on two-point shots (104 of 186) and 35.5 percent from 3-point range (54 of 152). He hit his free throws (127 of 150) at a very impressive 84.7-percent clip and averaged 4.2 rebounds per game, as 37 of his 142 boards came off the offensive glass. He had 86 assists and had 36 steals to go with eight blocked shots, but averaged 2.1 turnovers per game while committing 50 Personal fouls.

Scouting Report

Positives: Has very good athletic skills, showing quick feet, active hands and a long wingspan that he uses effectively to alter shots defensively...Despite his lanky frame, he gets good leg drive and elevation driving through forwards and centers to finish at the rim...Has the court vision and ball-handling skills to play the point...Compensates for a lack of explosiveness with the ability to pull up, set his feet and fire...His lateral agility lets him stay in front of perimeter shooters in pressure-defense situations...Fluid and smooth when elevating and gliding in the air, drawing contact...He has a quick, high release and good success at the charity stripe...Has great basketball IQ and it is very rare to see him force his shot or pass the ball into traffic...Has very good balance in attempts to beat the press and is very good on the one-bounce pass to an open teammate...Gets most of his separation during drives with his good concept for using screens...Fills the lane quickly on the fast break and is the type that never tires...Because of his wingspan, he is capable of defending vs. some forwards and his ability to read the passing lanes and reach around his opponent gives him good success forcing turnovers...When slashing to the basket, he shows quick lateral moves, especially to his right...Has developed a nice reverse layup that he utilizes mostly on his drives and can fool the defender with his ability to switch hands on the ball in flight...Pumps the ball in quickly, thanks to his smooth release...Has the soft, natural hands you like in a guard...Still needs to work on improving his vertical leap, but his wingspan lets him contribute going for the rebound.

Negatives: Like most

International

Compares To: MANU GINOBILI, San Antonio. Put Fernandez on a team with an athletic frontcourt and he will be a nice piece in the starting five. Put him on a team where he will have to be "The Man" and you will see that is not his game. He is a good complementary piece for an established team, as he can provide relief minutes at both guard positions, but it is not advisable to make him the focus of your offense.

Personal

Comes from a family known for their basketball skills, as both parents played basketball and his sister, Marta, is considered one of the best female players in Spain...Born 4/05/85...Resides in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

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