Rafael Araujo has received a typically rude rookie introduction to the NBA.
Last spring the former BYU star was voted Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year, followed shortly after by his being selected No. 8 in the NBA Draft, by the Toronto Raptors, a team in annual search of an inside game.
Clearly, he was on the fast track to NBA stardom.
So the season begins, and Loren Woods, who prior to this season had started 13 games in three years of undistinguished bench work, is the starting center. In four games prior to Wednesday night's game against the Jazz at the Delta Center, the 6-foot-11 Araujo had played 13 minutes, making one of five shots for a total of two points, with three rebounds.
In the Raptors' 104-95 defeat of the Jazz, Araujo played four minutes, contributing one rebound and one foul. He got fed the ball down low once but dropped the pass. When he was introduced the first time, there seemed to be an equal number of cheers and boos. He appreciated the former.
"That felt good, to have the fans support me and appreciate my game," he said.
Araujo said he's not discouraged yet by his lack of playing time.
"That's how a rookie's life goes," he said, smiling.
Sporting braces and a large diamond stud in each ear, Araujo said he just tries to stay ready, because you never know when injuries or foul trouble might put him in the spotlight. In the meantime, he is undergoing a crash course in NBA pivot play at practice.
"You learn a lot of things," he said. "Playing in this league is a rare opportunity. Every day you learn something. Every day you play against good players, so you have to get better every night."
Asked how Araujo was progressing, Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said he is just paying his dues.
"He's a rookie," Mitchell said. "He's going to have his struggles trying to play center in the NBA."
That was the political answer. After a moment's reflection, Mitchell explained what the real problem is for the young man from Brazil.
"Being a young guy, I think he gets caught up in thinking, 'I was the 8th pick in the draft,"' Mitchell said. 'So what? You need to let that (stuff) go.
"He needs to forget about where he was drafted," Mitchell said. "That means nothing now. What you do from here on out is going to determine what kind of player you are."
Mitchell said he understands what Araujo is going through, because his adjustment to the NBA was similar.
"I was the second-leading scorer in the nation coming out of college, and then I got cut," Mitchell said. "When I did make a team, the coach told me I was the defensive stopper. When I let all that go, I was ready to play in the NBA."
Mitchell did that, for 13 seasons, so he knows what he's talking about. And it makes him sympathetic—to a point.
"It's tough for him," Mitchell said. "This is the first time he hasn't played consistent minutes . . . In his mind, he can't understand why he's not playing. But coaches are going to play the guys who are ready to play."
The Raptors coach said it probably doesn't help rookies to get consoling pats on the back from their friends.
"I'm sure his friends are telling him I have no idea what I'm doing," he said. "He has to get past stuff like that."
If effort makes a difference, Araujo should have a bright future.
"He works hard, he's a good kid," Mitchell said. "If we have practice at 10 o'clock, he's in the gym at 8:30."
E-mail: rich@desnews.com