BRA - Helen, Janeth enter new chapters in Brazil careers

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - It doesn’t seem so long ago that Helen was uncorking long three-pointers, Alessandra was swatting shots and Janeth was penetrating into the lane for Brazil’s women’s team – once the best in the world.

The three are now back with the Brazilians to help the national side rediscover its winning touch in international competition.

Brazil have appointed Janeth as an assistant coach to Paulo Bassul and also brought Helen and Alessandra back into the squad to lend some much-needed experience to a group that reached the Olympics last year but lost a series of close games and failed to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

Helen doesn’t know if she will be in the final squad that competes at the FIBA Americas Championship in Cuiabá from September 23-27, but the 35-year-old plans to make the most of the time she has with the 24-strong preliminary group in the preparation period.

“I am very happy to return to wear the shirt of Brazil and defend my country,” Helen said.

“It is a group that mixes youth and experience. In life, we are always learning a little each day. And I will do everything to help the youngest with my experience, just as I had that opportunity when I started with the selection in 1989.”

Brazil legend Hortência is also getting in on the act and is a big reason why her three former teammates in the gold-medal winning side at the 1994 FIBA World Championship for Women are back in some capacity.

She is the director of the national side.

FIBA