BRA – Michelle Splitter health concerns arise again

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Brazil’s women are gearing up for the South American Championship and in June will take part in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

But right now, a far more important issue has grabbed the attention of everyone involved in the country’s basketball community.

Center Michelle Splitter, whose brother Tiago is a star at Tau Ceramica in Spain and also plays for the men’s national side, felt ill last week and went to hospital after being affected by leukaemia again.

The 18-year-old, who had spent three years being treated for the disease, returned to play this season with Unimed Americana and performed so well that she was recently named in the senior team.

She travelled to Cuba where a young Brazil side played four friendly games.

The president of Unimed, Ricardo Molina, was at the Centro Boldrini hospital with Splitter and afterward pledged the club’s support to the player and he family while also predicting she will win her fight with the disease.

"I was today with the Michelle,” he said. “She is a warrior and is very strong. It is an example of her determination.”

FIBA