LINCOLN — Arizona Western College already has had one basketball big man from Brazil make the big time.

Rafael Araujo, after two years at that community college, moved on to BYU, where he was co-player of the year in the Mountain West Conference and became the overall No. 8 pick in the 2004 NBA draft by Toronto.

Arizona Western now has another Brazilian big man, and coaches in his league consider him a better prospect than Araujo.

That player — 6-foot-11, 315-pound Andre Almeida — is headed to Nebraska.

The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native was MVP of the Arizona Community College Athletic Association, a rarity for a freshman. This preseason, he has been tabbed a National Junior College Athletic Association first-team All-American.

Almeida's letter of intent cleared Nebraska compliance channels Friday night. His addition means that the Huskers — two seasons after having the nation's shortest team — could have a 2010-11 roster of 6-11, 6-11, 6-11, 6-10, 6-9 and 6-8.

“Size is something we needed to get into this program to compete in our league,'' Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said. “Andre brings that to us.''

Almeida has weighed as much as 340 to 360 pounds, but has dropped to 315 this season.

“Conditioning is the one thing that's keeping him from being a very, very, very good player,'' Sadler said. “I'd like him to be down to about 285 or 290. But he has tremendous hands and feet.

“In signing him, I talked to him about the summer. He had to commit to come in here to work out instead of going home for the summer. He was willing to do that.''

Last summer, Almeida played on a Brazilian national team on which Husker assistant Walter Roese was a coach.

“Andre has played some national team basketball, so he has played against great competition,'' Sadler said. “And he has been very well coached in two years at JC.''

Arizona Western coach Kelly Green told the Yuma Sun the following about Almeida:

“He got himself in much better shape. He's such an unselfish player and good passer. If our guys will learn how to play off him, that will help him.''

The coach at Cochise (Ariz.) County CC, Arizona Western's rival, praised Almeida highly.

“Araujo was a lottery pick,'' coach Jerry Carillo said from Douglas, Ariz. “But Andre Almeida, in my opinion, is a more proficient and productive junior college player than Araujo.

“Almeida can really, really score and knows how to stay in the game (by avoiding fouls). He has great hands, and he's a better athlete than his body looks. And I'll say it again, he can really score.''

Last season, Almeida averaged 13.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks a game.

He has played two games this season with these totals: 11 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, and 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

How long did it take Sadler to offer Almeida?

“Once I saw him last year, I made up my mind,'' he said. “And we got it over quick.''

Which is good for Nebraska because many big-name schools, including Memphis, were making inquiries.

Carillo said Almeida could be a Big 12 difference-maker.

“I know Doc,'' Carillo said. “With Almeida being at a place like Nebraska, with their strength and conditioning program, I'll be very curious to see what he turns his body into.''

Does Almeida have a mean streak?

“I wouldn't say he has a nastiness,'' Carillo said. “But he does play with a little chip on his shoulder. He's got good confidence in his ability.

“And he does a good job of not getting in foul trouble. He's got some sense to him. He can go out and guard a 6-6 athletic guy and stay in the game. And he can really score the ball.''

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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