Edy Tavares
Walter Samuel "Edy" Tavares da Veiga (born 22 March 1992) is a Cape Verdean professional basketball player for Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He was selected with the 43rd overall pick in 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks and has played internationally for the Cape Verde national basketball team. Tavares receives praise as a physical phenomenon, standing tall and possessing a wingspan. Early life. Tavares was born in Cape Verde on the island of Maio. He did not play any basketball until he was 17 years old, and his talent was discovered by  a German tourist who was on vacation in Cape Verde in 2009. Professional career. Spain. From 2009 to 2011, Tavares played for CB Gran Canaria's junior team in the Liga EBA. In 2011, he was loaned to UB La Palma of the LEB Oro for the 2011–12 season. In 2012, he returned to Gran Canaria and made his Liga ACB debut on 6 January 2013. He also played three games for La Palma in 2012–13 as well. In April 2013, Tavares declared for the 2013 NBA draft but later withdrew his name and returned to Gran Canaria for the  2013–14 season. On 19 June 2014, Tavares re-signed with Gran Canaria on a three-year deal, while still remaining eligible for the 2014 NBA draft. On 26 June 2014, Tavares was selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the first Cape Verdean-born player to be drafted in the NBA. On 26 August 2014, it was announced Tavares would return to Gran Canaria for the 2014–15 season. During their 2014–15 season, Tavares earned All-EuroCup First Team honors. Atlanta Hawks. On 6 July 2015, Tavares joined the Atlanta Hawks for  the 2015 NBA Summer League. Three days later, he signed a multi-year deal with the Hawks. He made his debut for the Hawks on 29 October recording one point and one rebound in a 112–101 win over the New York Knicks. During his rookie season, using the flexible assignment rule, Tavares received multiple assignments to the Austin Spurs, Canton Charge and Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. On 31 October 2016, he was waived by the Hawks after appearing in one game for the team in the 2016–17 season. Raptors 905. On 12 November 2016, Tavares was acquired  by Raptors 905 of the NBA Development League. On February 6, 2017, he was named in the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 2017 NBA D-League All-Star Game. At the season's end, he was named the recipient of the NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year Award. Cleveland Cavaliers. On 12 April 2017, Tavares signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He made his debut for the Cavaliers that night, recording 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in a 99–83 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Tavares did not play at all in the 2017 playoffs due to a  hand injury. On 11 October 2017, Tavares was waived by the Cavaliers. Brief return to Raptors 905. Shortly after getting waived by the Cavaliers, Tavares returned to Raptors 905, ultimately playing only one regular season game for them, scoring 13 points, with 10 rebounds and 3 blocks vs. the Grand Rapids Drive on 5 November 2017. Return to Spain. On 10 November 2017, Tavares signed with Real Madrid until the end of the 2019–20 season. In May 2018, Real Madrid won the 2017–18 EuroLeague championship, after defeating Fenerbahçe in the final game with 85–80. Over 17 EuroLeague games, Tavares averaged  6.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. On 21 September 2019, Tavares set an individual record for most blocks in a Spanish Supercup game, with 7 blocks in the semi-final against Fuenlabrada. National team career. Tavares played with the Cape Verde national basketball team at AfroBasket 2013. The following seven years, Tavares did not represent his country due to his club's incompatible dates with the FIBA tournaments. Tavares was again on the roster of Cape Verde for AfroBasket 2021. On 25 August 2021, Tavares recorded 20 points, 18 rebounds and 6 blocks in a shocking overtime  victory over . He helped his country reach the fourth place in the tournament, while individually he was named to the All-AfroBasket Team as well.