Luis Scola
 Scola in 2014 with the Indiana Pacers | |
| No. 4 – Shanghai Sharks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward |
| League | Chinese Basketball Association |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
April 30, 1980 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 56th overall |
| Selected by the San Antonio Spurs | |
| Playing career | 1995–present |
| Career history | |
| 1995–1998 | Ferro Carril Oeste |
| 1998–2007 | Tau Ceramica |
| 1998–2000 | →Gijón Baloncesto |
| 2007–2012 | Houston Rockets |
| 2012–2013 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2013–2015 | Indiana Pacers |
| 2015–2016 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2016–2017 | Brooklyn Nets |
| 2017–2018 | Shanxi Brave Dragons |
| 2018–present | Shanghai Sharks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
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Luis Alberto Scola Balvoa (born April 30, 1980) is an Argentine professional basketball player for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). A three-time All-EuroLeague selection with Tau Ceramica, he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2007, and was voted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Later on, he played for the Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets.
Scola has been a regular member of the Argentina national team since 1999 and won an Olympic gold medal in 2004, and a bronze medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics. These successes enabled him to become Argentina's flag bearer at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Professional career
Ferro Carril Oeste (1995–1998)
Scola started his career with the Buenos Aires youth teams of Ferro Carril Oeste. He made his professional debut with the same club's pro team in the Argentine league during the 1995–96 season, at the age of 15.
Spain
Cabitel Gijón (1998–2000)
After the 1997–98 basketball season in the Argentine League, Scola moved to Spain and signed with Saski Baskonia. He was loaned to Gijón Baloncesto, where he helped the then Spanish League Second Division club achieve promotion to the Spanish League First Division. He then was loaned back to Gijón through the 1999–2000 season, before arriving at Baskonia, where he played for seven seasons.
Tau Ceramica (1998–2007)
With Saski Baskonia, Scola reached the EuroLeague Finals in the 2000–01 season, and three consecutive EuroLeague Final Fours, between 2005 and 2007. His outstanding performances earned him an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection in 2005, as well as two All-EuroLeague First Team selections in 2006 and 2007.
Although Scola did not win the EuroLeague championship with Baskonia, he did win with them every major Spanish League title, winning a Spanish ACB League championship in 2002, three Spanish King's Cups in 2002, 2004, 2006, and three Spanish Supercups in 2005, 2006, 2007.
NBA
In the summer of 2005, the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA (who drafted Scola in 2002), attempted to negotiate with Baskonia to buy out his contract. After throwing around numbers as large as US$15 million, Baskonia settled on a number of over $3 million for the buyout of the contract. This made it difficult for Scola to join fellow Argentina national team member Manu Ginóbili in San Antonio, because of the NBA's rule which limits teams to paying no more than $500,000 of a player's buyout.[1] Scola would have been responsible for paying Baskonia the remaining $2.5 million amount of the buyout. When the deal to buy out Scola's contract fell through, the Spurs instead signed an Argentine national team teammate and friend of Scola's, Fabricio Oberto.
Houston Rockets (2007–2012)
On July 12, 2007, the Spurs traded the rights to Scola, along with center-forward Jackie Butler, to the Houston Rockets, in return for Vassilis Spanoulis, a future second-round draft pick, and cash considerations. He signed with the Rockets soon after[2] and his sticky buyout situation was resolved a few days later.[3] Scola signed a three-year contract with the Rockets, at a salary of $9.5 million. Scola placed third in the NBA 2007–08 Rookie of the Year Award voting[4] and he was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. On March 13, 2010, he scored a career high 44 points against the New Jersey Nets.
On the afternoon of December 8, 2011, the day before the 2011 NBA lockout ended and players could move between teams, the Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets agreed to a trade that would have sent Scola, along with Goran Dragić, Kevin Martin, and Lamar Odom to the Hornets. In exchange, the Rockets would have received Pau Gasol, and the Lakers would have received star point guard Chris Paul. That night, after other team owners voiced their opposition, league commissioner David Stern nullified the trade.[5]
On July 13, 2012, he was waived by the Rockets using the league's amnesty clause to provide salary cap relief.[6] It was widely noted,[7] however, that Scola was not cut due to a lack of performance; rather, the deal was an attempt to clear cap space for the Rockets to trade for former Orlando Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard. Howard was instead traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Rockets used their cap space to gain former Oklahoma City Thunder Sixth Man of the Year shooting guard and Olympic gold medalist James Harden.
Phoenix Suns (2012–2013)
On July 15, 2012, Scola was claimed off amnesty waivers by the Phoenix Suns.[8] Reportedly, the Dallas Mavericks and the Cleveland Cavaliers were also interested in acquiring Scola during the amnesty process.[9][10] On November 21, 2012, Scola was relegated to playing off the bench for the first time in his NBA career since the start of his rookie season. He regained his starting spot less than a month later, and on December 29, he scored a season-high 33 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves.[11] While Scola did become a leader for the Suns, he finished the season with declining averages, as his 12.8 points per game were his lowest since the 2008–09 season.
Indiana Pacers (2013–2015)
On July 27, 2013, the Suns traded Scola to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee, and a future second round draft pick.[12] In his two seasons for the Pacers, Scola played a back-up power forward role to David West as he started just 18 games over his two-year stint.
Toronto Raptors (2015–2016)
On July 15, 2015, Scola signed with the Toronto Raptors.[13] He made his debut for the Raptors in their season opener on October 28, recording eight rebounds while taking no field goal attempts in a 106–99 win over the Indiana Pacers.[14] He helped the Raptors make the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 for the first time in franchise history.
Brooklyn Nets (2016–2017)
On July 13, 2016, Scola signed with the Brooklyn Nets.[15] He made his debut for the Nets in their season opener on October 26, scoring eight points in a 122–117 loss to the Boston Celtics.[16] On February 27, 2017, he was waived by the Nets.[17]
China
Shanxi Brave Dragons (2017–2018)
On July 9, 2017, Scola signed with the Shanxi Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association.[18]
Shanghai Sharks (2018–present)
On August 10, 2018, Scola signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association.[19]
Argentina national team
With Argentina's junior national teams, Scola won the gold medal at the 1995 South American Cadet Championship, the gold medal at the 1996 South American Junior Championship, the gold medal at the 2000 FIBA Americas Under-20 Championship, and the bronze medal at the 2001 FIBA Under-21 World Cup.
As a member of the senior Argentina national team, Scola has won several medals: the silver medal at the 1999 South American Championship, the bronze medal at the 1999 FIBA Americas Championship, the gold medal at the 2001 FIBA Americas Championship, the silver medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship, the silver medal at the 2003 FIBA Americas Championship, the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, the silver medal at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the bronze medal at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, the gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship and the bronze medal at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship among other titles. At the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship tournament, Scola became the all-time leading scorer in FIBA AmeriCup history, and won his 4th tournament MVP.
Scola broke two records of the Argentina national team at the FIBA World Cup, during the 2010 edition: top overall scorer for Argentina at a World Cup (beating Ernesto Gehrmann's 331 points)[20] and most points scored for Argentina in one game at a World Cup (scoring 37 against Brazil in the round of 16, therefore beating Alberto Desimone's 35 points scored against Mexico in 1963).[21]
Titles and medals
Club level
- Spanish League Champion: (2002)
- 3× Spanish King's Cup Winner: (2002, 2004, 2006)
- 3× Spanish Supercup Winner: (2005, 2006, 2007)
Argentina national team
- 1995 South American Cadet Championship:
- 1996 South American Junior Championship:
- 1999 South American Championship:
- 1999 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2000 FIBA Americas Under-20 Championship:
- 2001 FIBA Under-21 World Cup:
- 2001 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2002 FIBA World Championship:
- 2003 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2004 Summer Olympic Games:
- 2007 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball:
- 2008 Summer Olympic Games:
- 2009 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2011 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2013 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2015 FIBA Americas Championship:
- 2017 FIBA AmeriCup:
Awards
Club level
- Spanish League: Rookie of the Year (2000)
- Spanish Supercup: MVP (2005)
- All-EuroLeague Second Team: (2005)
- 2× Spanish League MVP: (2005, 2007)
- 4× All-Spanish League Team: (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
- 2× All-EuroLeague First Team: (2006, 2007)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: (2008)
- 2016 NBA Atlantic Division Sportsmanship Award
Argentina junior national team
- 2000 FIBA Americas Under-20 Championship: MVP
- 2001 FIBA Under-21 World Cup: All-Tournament Team
Argentina senior national team
- 2007 FIBA Americas Championship: MVP
- 2009 FIBA Americas Championship: MVP & Top Scorer
- 2010 FIBA World Championship: All-Tournament Team
- 2011 FIBA Americas Championship: All-Tournament Team & MVP & Top Scorer
- 2013 FIBA Americas Championship: All-Tournament Team & Top Scorer
- 2015 FIBA Americas Championship: All-Tournament Team & MVP & Top Scorer
Career statistics
| Legend | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game | ||
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage | ||
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game | ||
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | PIR | Performance Index Rating | ||
| Bold | Career high | ||||||
Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season. He also played in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.
NBA
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Houston | 82 | 39 | 24.7 | .515 | .000 | .668 | 6.4 | 1.3 | .7 | .2 | 10.3 |
| 2008–09 | Houston | 82 | 82 | 30.3 | .531 | .000 | .760 | 8.8 | 1.5 | .8 | .1 | 12.7 |
| 2009–10 | Houston | 82 | 82 | 32.6 | .514 | .200 | .779 | 8.6 | 2.1 | .8 | .3 | 16.2 |
| 2010–11 | Houston | 74 | 74 | 32.6 | .504 | .000 | .738 | 8.2 | 2.5 | .6 | .6 | 18.3 |
| 2011–12 | Houston | 66 | 66 | 31.3 | .491 | .000 | .773 | 6.5 | 2.1 | .5 | .4 | 15.5 |
| 2012–13 | Phoenix | 82 | 67 | 26.6 | .473 | .188 | .787 | 6.6 | 2.2 | .8 | .4 | 12.8 |
| 2013–14 | Indiana | 82 | 2 | 17.1 | .470 | .143 | .728 | 4.8 | 1.0 | .3 | .2 | 7.6 |
| 2014–15 | Indiana | 81 | 16 | 20.5 | .467 | .250 | .699 | 6.5 | 1.3 | .6 | .2 | 9.4 |
| 2015–16 | Toronto | 76 | 76 | 21.5 | .450 | .404 | .726 | 4.7 | .9 | .6 | .4 | 8.7 |
| 2016–17 | Brooklyn | 36 | 1 | 12.8 | .470 | .340 | .676 | 3.9 | 1.0 | .4 | .1 | 5.1 |
| Career | 743 | 505 | 25.6 | .493 | .339 | .740 | 6.7 | 1.6 | .6 | .3 | 12.0 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Houston | 6 | 6 | 36.7 | .448 | .000 | .686 | 9.3 | 1.3 | .7 | .2 | 14.0 |
| 2009 | Houston | 13 | 13 | 32.6 | .494 | .000 | .673 | 8.4 | 1.8 | .5 | .2 | 14.4 |
| 2014 | Indiana | 17 | 0 | 13.9 | .465 | .333 | .591 | 2.5 | .5 | .4 | .2 | 6.1 |
| 2016 | Toronto | 11 | 9 | 12.7 | .258 | .190 | .727 | 1.6 | .6 | .3 | .0 | 2.5 |
| Career | 48 | 28 | 21.4 | .454 | .200 | .667 | 4.7 | 1.0 | .4 | .1 | 8.5 | |
EuroLeague
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | PIR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | TAU Cerámica | 22 | 5 | 18.3 | .547 | .000 | .538 | 4.4 | .7 | 1.0 | .1 | 8.7 | 7.0 |
| 2001–02 | Tau Cerámica | 20 | 3 | 23.7 | .689 | .333 | .670 | 4.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | .3 | 15.9 | 16.8 |
| 2002–03 | Tau Cerámica | 16 | 9 | 24.7 | .546 | .000 | .677 | 5.0 | 1.3 | .9 | .3 | 15.1 | 13.0 |
| 2003–04 | Tau Cerámica | 14 | 6 | 28.8 | .604 | .000 | .765 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 1.4 | .4 | 15.2 | 16.8 |
| 2004–05 | Tau Cerámica | 24 | 21 | 24.7 | .564 | .000 | .676 | 6.5 | 1.9 | 1.3 | .7 | 15.1 | 16.9 |
| 2005–06 | Tau Cerámica | 25 | 24 | 28.6 | .536 | .000 | .679 | 6.7 | 2.2 | 1.6 | .8 | 14.8 | 18.8 |
| 2006–07 | Tau Cerámica | 23 | 18 | 26.5 | .573 | .000 | .708 | 5.9 | 2.2 | .9 | .3 | 15.5 | 17.9 |
| Career | 144 | 86 | 25.6 | .577 | .091 | .671 | 5.6 | 1.7 | 1.2 | .5 | 14.3 | 15.4 | |
Personal life
Scola and his wife, fellow Argentine Pamela, have four children together.[22][23] He also holds a Spanish passport.[24]
He is currently the golden ambassador for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires when he was named in July 2017.[25]
References
- ↑ Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ. Archived July 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. July 11, 2007
- ↑ San Antonio's 2002 draft pick Scola signs with Rockets. July 17, 2007
- ↑ Scola buyout issue is resolved. July 17, 2007
- ↑ Kevin Durant Named T-Mobile Rookie of the Year. Nba.com (May 1, 2008).
- ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (December 9, 2011). "Teams still pushing for Paul trade". Yahoo! Sports.
- ↑ "Suns claim Luis Scola off waiver wire, amnesty Josh Childress". SI.com. Associated Press. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
- ↑ Bill Simmons (August 10, 2012). "The London Chronicles, Vol. 6: The Mailbag That Wasn't". Grantland.com.
- ↑ Young, Royce. (July 15, 2012) Suns claim Luis Scola off waiver wire, amnesty Josh Childress. CBSSports.com.
- ↑ Suns make winning bid for Luis Scola – Dallas Mavericks Blog – ESPN Dallas. Espn.go.com.
- ↑ Holler, Doug (July 15, 2012). "Phoenix Suns acquire Luis Scola in auction". The Arizona Republic. AZCentral.com.
- ↑ Luis Scola 2012-13 Game Log
- ↑ "Pacers Acquire Luis Scola; Send Green, Plumlee, Future No. 1 Pick to Suns". NBA.com. July 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Raptors Sign Luis Scola". NBA.com. July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- ↑ "DeRozan scores 25, Lowry has 23, Raptors beat Pacers 106-99". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Brooklyn Nets Sign Luis Scola and Greivis Vasquez". NBA.com. July 13, 2016. Archived from the original on July 19, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Thomas scores 25, Celtics fight off Nets 122-117". ESPN.com. October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ↑ "BROOKLYN NETS WAIVE LUIS SCOLA". NBA.com. February 27, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ↑ "Luis Scola signs in China with Shanxi". Sportando.com. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ↑ "Luis Scola signs at Sharks". asia-basket.com. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ↑ Hernán Sartori (September 3, 2010). "Scola, el goleador que lidera la esperanza". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ↑ Pablo Cormick (September 7, 2010). "Argentina, con inteligencia y carácter". ESPNDeportes (in Spanish). Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ↑ "Five Things to Know About Luis Scola". NBA.com. July 30, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Luis Scola's wife Pamela Scola". PlayerWives.com. May 24, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Luis Scola". ABC.com (in Spanish). Retrieved July 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Olympic basketball champion Scola named Buenos Aires 2018 ambassador".
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Luis Scola. |
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com, or Basketball-Reference.com
- Luis Scola at euroleague.net
- Luis Scola at acb.com (in Spanish)
- Luis Scola at FIBA
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