PROVO — The unexpected addition of Brazilian import Jonathan Tavernari to the Timpview basketball team this season has significantly strengthened the Thunderbirds' frontcourt rotation.
In addition to his size, the 6-foot-5 junior forward also possesses the kind of all-around game that can fill up box scores and make players around him much more effective.
"He's been a great addition to our team because he's very versatile," said Timpview coach Perry Wildeboer. "He does a lot of things well. He's a good shooter, but his best asset is his feel for the game."
He showed his versatility in a recent game against Orem. He burned the Tigers for 11 points, 14 rebounds, three steals and a game-high five assists. During a critical part of the game, Wildeboer signaled for Tavernari to isolate at the top of the key and for the remaining T-Birds players to clear out. The Brazilian ball-handler beat his defender off the dribble for an easy layup.
"He's been able to go from a (point guard) to a (power forward) for us because of his feel for the game. He has definitely filled a void for us," the Timpview coach said.
For his part, Tavernari embraces his role on the Timpview squad, even if it means deferring to the likes of Marquette-bound Matt Mortensen.
"I think I can contribute because everybody knows, and even I know, the biggest talent on the team is Mortensen," said Tavernari. "Every time you pass the ball to the guy, he's money. He is so good.
"Back in Brazil I was like a point guard, making decisions, scoring 30 points per game. Here I'm kind of a role player: get the rebound, do some fast break and some assist. But I like it; it's like another way to improve my game, playing without the ball and moving. Like I tell everybody, I'm just here to help."
Tavernari arrived in the United States on June 4 and returned to his native So Paulo for a week in August to switch his visa status from tourist to student.
The decision for Tavernari to come to Utah involved Walter Roese, BYU's director of basketball operations and Tavernari's host. Roese, coached by Tavernari's mother as a youth basketball player in Brazil, is a close family friend. As is common in Brazilian culture, Tavernari calls Roese his "uncle," even though the two aren't related.
A prep school in North Carolina wanted Tavernari to come play for its basketball team, but Tavernari's family felt he'd be better served staying with someone who had his best interests at heart.
"My mom is a basketball coach, and she feels that (the North Carolina prep school's) first intention for me was playing basketball," said Tavernari.
"They didn't see me as a person but just like a product.
"She was like, 'They'd pass you in every single class because they want you to be a basketball player. You need to go to a place where they push you in school like I push you here.' "
Enter Roese, who agreed to house Tavernari and help keep him focused on his studies. Once the decision was made to reside with Roese, Tavernari had no choice but to become a T-Bird since Roese lives within Timpview boundaries.
Although he approves of Tavernari's skills, Roese, given his affiliation with the BYU basketball program, is careful not to get involved in Tavernari's basketball career and wants people to know that he's doing a favor for a family friend, not hosting an extended recruiting trip.
"I believe that (Tavernari) is a very skilled player, works very hard, has dreams about playing college ball," said Roese. "His passing ability is good. He has great vision, and he can shoot very well.
"I don't talk to him about basketball at all. My responsibility is that I just put a roof over his head. I don't care about his basketball; I only care that he is able to make friends and get good grades."
To avoid potential questions or complications that could arise about conflicts of interest if Tavernari gets recruited to play college basketball, Roese cleared the arrangement with the NCAA beforehand.
As a foreign-exchange student, federal law mandates that Tavernari can attend Timpview for only one year — after that, it's either back to Brazil or off to a private school stateside for his senior season.
"I think it's kind of sad," said Wildeboer. "I don't understand the rule. It seems he could go to a private school and even play all the same teams. So why the discrimination against public schools?
"We even have a bunch of illegals that come play, and nobody questions it, so I don't see why when someone comes legally there's this big deal."
Tavernari is unsure where he'll be come next fall, saying only that he'd "love to stay (at Timpview) for two years, but because of the rules that's just not going to happen."
In the meantime, the carefree Tavernari savors his time as a T-Bird. His outgoing, effervescent personality has helped him make many friends fast, and his advanced English skills haven't hurt either.
Tavernari said, "I started taking English classes (when) I was eight, but I didn't give it much attention (until) I was 14. That was when the private school in North Carolina called me to see if I wanted to go there.
"I don't think (learning English) is hard. I pretty much watch movies all the time, listen to songs."
A fan of all things Will Smith, Tavernari can't help but note the similarities between his current circumstance and Smith's old sitcom about a teenager who moves from Philadelphia to live with family in California.
"The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, that's my favorite show," Tavernari said. "I'm living his experience, man, from another place, come to live with my uncle in a totally different culture. 'The Fresh Prince of Provo' — Mortensen called me that one time."