Andrew RAUTINS
#10 | Guard

Rautins is a player who is still making up for lost time after a tear to his ACL in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship led to him having to spend a lot of time on the sidelines undergoing rehabilitation.

It was a severe blow to the talented guard since he had gone into the tournament on a high, having shocked everyone by truly announcing his arrival at this level with a team-high 13 points in Rio at the Pan-American Games.

Impressively, since that time Rautins has come back fitter, stronger and his shooting and all round numbers for college and country have been impressive, while he is really beginning to develop and show his maturity.

He is a big threat from outside and with Syacruse he has become more and more productive and efficient in every area of his game.

He had a good tournament last year in San Juan where he shot the ball really well from the perimeter, dished up more assists than anyone else in the team and highlighted where his strenths lie.

He's not just a shooter and with sound fundamentals and an impressive skill-set, he has a big role to play again for the team.

The influence Andy Rautins has on court will grow in years to come and once he begins his pro-career, he will have even more experience to bring, while it should also help him raise his game to a new level.

Being an exciting talent and as the son of the coach is not an easy situation for the player himself.

Any of the cynics who questioned his inclusion in the early days have eaten their words.

Indeed nobody can sensibly argue with the job the 23 year-old has done so far.

For a second opinion, ask the New York Knicks who drafted him earlier this year.