BRA - Nene returns to Brazil squad

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Americas Championship) - Denver Nuggets center Nene has returned after a four-year absence to help Brazil achieve success in the forthcoming FIBA Americas Championship.

Nene followed the advice of his family and friends to bring an end to his dispute with the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) and return to the squad.

"I've been with my family and friends and have decided to play in the pre-Olympic championship," Nene said.

"I'll start a new life in the national team, thinking about helping this sport become born again in this country."

Fellow NBA players Anderson Varejao and Leandrinho Barbosa, who participated in the last FIBA World Championship in Japan, have already expressed their desire to join the national team.

"They will contribute too. But it was not just that that made me return. It's a number of things. Basketball here is calling for help and it's time to return," Nene added.

The FIBA Americas Championship provides two berths in the Beijing Olympics next year.

"You'll see what we are able to do," Nene said. "We need to put Brazil in a higher place."

Despite his announcement, there is one thing still missing - the insurance the CBB has to pay to the Nuggets to let him play.

He continued: "I want to have the bill of the insurance in my hand.

"It means security for both Nuggets and myself. They need to have the document to let me play. I want to play the Americas Championship, but now the CBB has
to play their role."

Matias Greco
FIBA