Oregon Public Broadcasting

23-year-old Spanish all-star Rudy Fernandez announced Friday he will sign with the Portland Trailblazers to play next year.

Some have rated Fernandez as one of the best players in the world, who's not already playing in the National Basketball Association.

The Blazers came close to the post-season this year. And will get a boost next year when Greg Oden comes back from injury.

Dave Deckard is an Idaho minister, a Blazer fan, and the author of the Blazer's Edge-dot-com blog.

He says you can search the name 'Rudy Fernandez' on Youtube to see why Blazer fans are so excited.

Dave Deckard: “If he turns out to be as good as his highlight films promise he will, I don't expect that he will come in grab a starting spot and score 20 points a game, but I do expect that he will come in with some confidence, make some shots, and give fans reasons to cheer. And we'll have to see what happens from there.”

Deckard says like the rest of the Blazers, Fernandez is young.

So Friday's news is more about building a possible dynasty in the future than winning the NBA championship next year.