BRA - Barbosa concerned over insurance row

SAO PAULO (FIBA Americas Championship) - Brazil guard Leandro Barbosa is concerned he will be forced to sit out the FIBA Americas Championship as problems over his insurance remain.

Normal practice would see the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) contact the Phoenix Suns - Barbosa's NBA employers - regarding the player ahead of a major tournament but Barbosa claims talks have yet to take place.

Barbosa has already been ruled out of the Pan-American Games after injuring his elbow while playing for the Suns in the NBA play-offs.

The 24-year-old has undergone surgery and is already a doubt for the FIBA Americas Championship which tips off on August 22 in Las Vegas.

The row over insurance may be irrelevant therefore but Barbosa is still irritated by the issue.

He said: "CBB haven't called the Suns nor me. They have just talked to my brother and I'm a bit angry.

"I think it is time they contacted the team, but it hasn't occurred yet.

"I hoped the CBB would be quicker in their decisions."

Brazil have been drawn in Group B at the FIBA Americas Championship alongside the Virgin Islands, Canada, Venezuela and tournament hosts USA.

By Matias Greco
FIBA