Penny Hardaway continues seeking avenues to improve his roster this upcoming season. This time, he took to the international route to add an intriguing guard prospect. Daniel Vieira-Tuck, a 6’4 guard in the class of 2024, has committed to Memphis.
Vieira-Tuck visited the Tigers from May 27th to May 28th and committed on the visit, sources tell Hitmen Hoops. Vieira-Tuck currently plays in Portugal for S.L. Benfica, a team located in Lisbon. However, he planned to come over to play college in the fall, explaining Memphis’ pursuit.
Who is Vieira-Tuck as a player, and what is Memphis getting?
Daniel Vieira-Tuck Scouting Report
Daniel Vieira-Tuck is a lengthy guard with a crafty game. He played for Portugal’s U20 Team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging nearly 15 points per game in the event.
The Portuguese guard is a good athlete who can finish with both hands around the rim. He has solid touch and is extremely efficient in the painted area, scoring 71.6 eFG% at the rim. Furthermore, he has long strides and a good first step that allow him to get past defenders on the way to the basket. This too, allows him to be effective in transition, where he uses his athleticism, aggressiveness, and finishing ability to push the pace and score an obscene 1.565 points per possession.
Vieira-Tuck has a tight handle and moves extremely well with the ball in his hands. He’s shifty and keeps the ball tight to his body which prevents defenders from stealing the ball. He’s a really solid passer as well, showcasing intriguing reads and making flashy plays with the ball in his hands. He can fire passes with either hand from long distances and shows soft touch with his passes as well.
Albeit in limited games and showing previous flashes of being a good shooter, Vieira-Tuck wasn’t the most efficient shooter in FIBA U20 play with Portugal. He had a 31.0 TS% on jump shots and a 21.4 TS% on catch and shoot jump shots as well. Despite these inefficiencies, his rim finishing ability allowed him to conclude the event with a 51.7 TS%.
The 6’4 guard has a long wingspan and good defensive instincts that allow him to be effective on that end of the floor. He is active defensively and is a good team defender, showing good defensive communication.
How He Fits
Daniel Vieira-Tuck adds intriguing depth to Memphis’ backcourt. His height and wingspan allow him to play either position in the backcourt, and he could even slide to the small forward position in certain lineups. He immediately enters as one of the more intriuging developmental prospects on the roster. While he might not command significant minutes this season, he is a long-term piece to watch out for in the future. Vieira-Tuck’s ball handling ability, rim pressure, and two-way prowess should make him an impactful player when he does earn these minutes.
Furthermore, Penny Hardaway looking to the international route to upgrade his roster offers a promising sign for Memphis recruiting. It provides yet another avenue for the Tigers to add an influx of talent. The addition of Vieira-Tuck is a great start to those efforts.
