BRA - Brazil in mourning following death of Michelle Splitter

RIO DE JANEIRO (CBB) - Young Brazil center Michelle Splitter has died of leukaemia, the country's basketball confederation has announced.

The younger sister of Brazil and Tau Ceramica center Tiago Splitter, Michelle was just 19 years old.

After being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 15, Michelle had treatment and even returned to basketball when the leukaemia went into remission.

She was in contention last year for a place in the country's squad for the South American Championship and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women before suffering a relapse in late March.

The Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) have put a statement on their website which says: "The center Michelle Splitter, 19 years old, died yesterday in the Hospital Boldrini in Campinas.

"The burial will take place on Wednesday in the city of Blumenau.

"Michelle had been fighting leukaemia since the age of 15. She had been under treatment for several years and in October 2007 returned to play for Unimed/Americana.

"At the start of 2008, she was called to the Brazil national team for international friendly games against Cuba. But last year, the player had to end her sporting career after the disease returned.

"In January this year, Michelle had a bone marrow transplant."

Tau Ceramica released a brief statement on their website which said: "In this difficult time for the Splitter family, Tau Vitoria, in the name of their entire basketball family, wish to express their deepest sorrow for the loss of a loved one."

FIBA