“So for me, it\u2019s making sure they understand that nothing the coaches say is ever personal, even if it comes off that way. <\/p>\n
“It\u2019s never personal. I let them know what it was like for me when I first started, what it was like for Jack, what it was like for Trey, for Blake \u2014 all of those things.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s really just being that supportive, reassuring voice in the locker room. When Campy\u2019s meeting you yelling, the world\u2019s not ending, the sky\u2019s not falling. We\u2019re OK. That\u2019s just how they coach, that\u2019s how they get their message across. <\/p>\n
“That calms us down, gets us in the right frame of mind, and then we go out and play.”<\/p>\n
The bottom line for Buru if he is to achieve his NBA\u00a0dream he’s going to have to grind it out.<\/p>\n
What part of Naivalurua’s game does translate to the NBA<\/p>\n
1. Physical profile<\/p>\n
1.98 m, 98 kg forward with JUCO + D1 mileageNBA teams will note frame, strength, durability, not age-group dominanceSize is adequate, not elite, for an NBA forward<\/p>\n
2. Production jump at D1<\/p>\n
2024\u201325 and 2025\u201326 show sustained double-figure scoring13.9 PPG (33 mpg) \u2192 13.5 PPG (32.7 mpg)That establishes baseline offensive viability, not star usage<\/p>\n
3. Interior efficiency<\/p>\n
Career 52.2 FG%, JUCO 62.2 FG%Shows finishing ability, strength around the rimNBA teams value this as a role skill, not a creator indicatorWhat doesn\u2019t translate cleanly<\/p>\n
1. Usage ceiling<\/p>\n
Career 0.9 AST, peak 2.2 ASTLow playmaking for an NBA forwardProfiles as a finisher, not a decision-maker<\/p>\n
2. Shooting profile<\/p>\n
D1 31.3% from three, 2025\u201326 at 28.0%NBA threshold for draftable forwards is typically \u226535% on volumeThis is the biggest limiting factor<\/p>\n
3. Defensive indicators<\/p>\n
Stocks (STL + BLK) are solid but not eliteNo advanced metrics showing switchability or rim deterrenceNBA teams look for one standout defensive calling cardDraft reality<\/p>\n
Based on historical NBA Draft patterns:<\/p>\n
Not a current NBA Draft lockUnlikely to be drafted without:Shooting jumpDefensive specialisationElite athletic testing numbers<\/p>\n
However:<\/p>\n
These numbers do translate to:Summer League interestG League \/ Exhibit 10 considerationInternational pro opportunities (NBL, Asia and Europe)Most realistic NBA-adjacent pathway<\/p>\n
If framed correctly, his profile fits:<\/p>\n
G League big wing \/ small-ball 4Energy finisher roleDevelopmental shooter<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where JUCO to D1 to pro success stories most often live.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/694078d2a83a849212dedb98_GettyImages-2185180363.jpg\")
KJ Adams Jr. #24 of the Kansas Jayhawks and Tuburu Naivalurua #12 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies battle for a loose ball during the first half of the game at Allen Fieldhouse on November 17, 2024 (AEDT)\u00a0in Lawrence, Kansas. Photo: Jamie Squire\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Naivalurua began his collegiate career at Garden City Community College, where he played 30 games and averaged 14.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 62.2 per cent from the field, 38.7 per cent from three-point range and 68.5 per cent from the free-throw line.<\/p>\n
He later transferred to Division I at Oakland University, where he has appeared in 79 career games. Across his Division I career, Naivalurua has averaged 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game, shooting 52.2 per cent from the field, 31.3 per cent from three and 62.7 per cent from the line. <\/p>\n
During the 2025\u201326 season, he is averaging 13.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game through 11 appearances.<\/p>\n
2022-23 Garden City Community College (JUCO)<\/p>\n
Games: 30 \u2502 Games Started: 30 \u2502 Minutes: 32.7 mpg
Points: 14.8 ppg \u2502 Rebounds: 10.2 rpg \u2502 Assists: 2.9 apg
FG: 186\u2013299 (62.2%) \u2502 3PT: 12\u201331 (38.7%) \u2502 FT: 61\u201389 (68.5%)
Offensive Rebounds: 3.5 \u2502 Defensive Rebounds: 6.7 \u2502 Total Rebounds: 10.2
Steals: 1.2 \u2502 Blocks: 1.9 \u2502 Turnovers: 2.2
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: 1.3
Points per 40 minutes: 18.1<\/p>\n
2023\u201324 \u2014 Oakland (D1 Horizon League)\u200dClass: Junior \u2502 Position: ForwardGames: 35 \u2502 Games Started: 1 \u2502 Minutes: 12.6 mpgFG: 1.3\u20132.7 (50.5%)3PT: 0.0\u20130.0 (100.0%)2PT: 1.3\u20132.6 (50.0%)eFG%: 51.1%\u200dFT: 0.6\u20131.2 (50.0%)Off Reb: 1.7 \u2502 Def Reb: 1.7 \u2502 Rebounds: 3.3Assists: 0.3 \u2502 Steals: 0.4 \u2502 Blocks: 0.7Turnovers: 0.4 \u2502 Fouls: 1.7Points: 3.32024\u201325 \u2014 Oakland (D1 Horizon League)\u200dClass: Senior \u2502 Position: ForwardGames: 33 \u2502 Games Started: 33 \u2502 Minutes: 33.1 mpgFG: 5.7\u201310.2 (55.5%)3PT: 0.1\u20130.2 (33.3%)2PT: 5.6\u201310.0 (55.9%)eFG%: 55.8%\u200dFT: 2.5\u20133.8 (65.9%)Off Reb: 3.1 \u2502 Def Reb: 4.0 \u2502 Rebounds: 7.1Assists: 1.2 \u2502 Steals: 1.0 \u2502 Blocks: 0.7Turnovers: 1.9 \u2502 Fouls: 2.1Points: 13.92025\u201326 \u2014 Oakland (D1 Horizon League)\u200dClass: Senior \u2502 Position: ForwardGames: 11 \u2502 Games Started: 11 \u2502 Minutes: 32.7 mpgFG: 5.6\u201312.5 (45.3%)3PT: 0.6\u20132.3 (28.0%)2PT: 5.0\u201310.2 (49.1%)eFG%: 47.8%\u200dFT: 1.5\u20132.3 (68.0%)Off Reb: 2.1 \u2502 Def Reb: 3.6 \u2502 Rebounds: 5.7Assists: 2.2 \u2502 Steals: 1.4 \u2502 Blocks: 0.7Turnovers: 1.4 \u2502 Fouls: 2.1Points: 13.5<\/p>\n
While his scorer is slightly down, so are his shots from last season but he said it was part of the Oakland’s system this year.<\/p>\n
“So it\u2019s been an adjustment, not scoring as much as I wanted to going into the season, but it\u2019s resulting in my teammates getting a lot of open looks, a lot of other guys being able to play one-on-one, and just overall team success,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s been tough, but it\u2019s helped us ultimately. If teams want to play us like that, that\u2019s fine. We have four other guys that will light the nets up now.”<\/p>\n
Career \u2014 Oakland\u200dGames: 79 \u2502 Games Started: 45 \u2502 Minutes: 24.0 mpgFG: 3.7\u20137.2 (52.2%)3PT: 0.1\u20130.4 (31.3%)2PT: 3.6\u20136.8 (53.5%)eFG%: 53.1%\u200dFT: 1.5\u20132.4 (62.7%)Off Reb: 2.3 \u2502 Def Reb: 2.9 \u2502 Rebounds: 5.2Assists: 0.9 \u2502 Steals: 0.8 \u2502 Blocks: 0.7Turnovers: 1.2 \u2502 Fouls: 1.9Points: 9.2<\/p>\n
While his numbers don’t shout 2026 NBA Draft pick, his dream of playing in the NBA\u00a0is still a reality but the path is tough. <\/p>\n