Juan Pablo Vaulet scores 12 points in return from ankle surgery

In his first game back from ankle surgery performed in July, Juan Pablo Vaulet played 14 minutes Friday night, scoring 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting as his team, Bahia Basket, lost by 31 in the Argentine national league, the LNB.

The Nets had Dr. Martin O'Malley, whose patients have included Brook Lopez and Kevin Durant, surgically repair Vaulet's right ankle back in July, less than a month after the NBA Draft when the Nets traded two second round picks and $880,000 to the Hornets for the 19-year-old's rights. It was his second ankle surgery in a little more than two years, having fractured his left ankle in a FIBA competition.

The 6'6" combo guard, Argentina's best prospect in a decade, looked athletic and hit his only three point attempt in his return.  There's no timetable for him to join the Nets and last week, he told an Argentine newspaper "I need to develop and don't want to speed it up. It may be next year, may be in five years or may be in 10 years. But at least now I have a chance."

Vaulet added that he has been talking regularly to Manu Ginobili about his desire to play in the NBA. Manu's brother, Sebastian, coaches Bahia Blanca.  The president of Bahia Blanca. ex NBA player Pepe Sanchez has said that he would not stand in Vaulet's way if the Nets want to bring him to Brooklyn even though he is under contract.

Here's some video highlights of his game.  He's No. 7 in white.

Thanks again to Josu Sen of @LosBrooklynNets for the translation.