Marcelo Huertas excited for chance to play with Lakers

nbaeditor | October 19, 2015 | NBA

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Video: Marcelinho Huertas Highlights. Watch the video below.

The Lakers added an experienced rookie to their backcourt as the calendar inches closer to training camp, as they signed Brazilian guard Marcelo Huertas on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old point guard comes to Los Angeles after seven seasons in the Liga ACB — Spain’s top league. The three-time ACB champion leaves behind a decorated Spanish legacy, which includes six years among the league’s top 10 assist leaders.

In 2007-08, Huertas pieced together a strong all-around season, cracking the ACB’s top 10 in scoring (14.6; eighth), assists (3.9; ninth) and steals (1.6; fourth). Three years later he led the league in assists (5.9). He was given All-ACB Team honors for both seasons.

“I’m a point guard that will play for the team,” Huertas told Lakers.com. “A guy that won’t play selfishly. I’m a good pick-and-roll player. I think my game is based on pick-and-roll and my ability to control the game and organize the team on the court.”

Known primarily for his court vision and pick-and-roll proficiency, “Marcelinho” averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 assists during ACB and Euroleague play in his fourth and final year with FC Barcelona last season. He dished out 4.6 dimes in ACB competition, which placed fifth in the league.

However, the 6-foot-3 Coppell High (Texas) grad also saw his field goal percentage dip to 44.2 percent, while hitting just 34.8 percent from 3-point range.

Still, Huertas has displayed his talents on major stages, including for the Brazilian National Team, which he helped win gold at the 2005 and 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, as well as the 2006 South American Championship and 2007 Pan American Games. In Brazil’s final game at the 2012 Olympics, he put forth his best effort with a game-high 22 points and five assists in a quarterfinals loss to Argentina.

But Huertas’ most lasting impression on American basketball came in Brazil’s exhibition against Team USA in preparation for the London Games. He finished the night with 13 assists — more than the U.S.’s combined total — and gave the American defense fits with his bursts of ballhandling and pinpoint passing.

Now, Huertas feels ready for consistent competition against the NBA’s best as a member of the Lakers.

“Every player in the world has the desire to play in the best league, and I’m no different than anybody else,” he said. “I’ve always dreamed about playing in the NBA. … After having a very successful career in Europe, I decided to take my chances and come to the NBA. Coming to the Lakers is something that I can’t even explain.”