BRA – Nene unable to play for Brazil in Athens

DENVER (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Cancer survivor Nene has announced he will not be able to play for Brazil this summer at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

National team coach Moncho Monsalve, who this week lost Anderson Varejao of Cleveland because of his slow recoveries from injuries suffered at the end of the campaign, will now be without the Denver Nuggets big man as well.

"Unfortunately, yet again, I will be out for physical problems,” Nene announced on his personal website.

"This has been a really complicated season for me, not only from the technical side but the emotional aspect as well. It was exhausting to go what I went through.”

Nene had surgery for testicular cancer earlier this year and returned near the end of the NBA campaign to play limited minutes for the Nuggets.

He gave them an emotional lift as they finished eighth in the Western Conference to reach the post-season.

"Nene needs special care," said Denver Nuggets doctor Steven Traina.

"He suffered inflammation of the right tendon adductor in the zone where he was operated."

Brazil are hoping to make the Olympics for the first time since 1996. They are in Group A of the qualifying tournament with Greece and Lebanon.

Should they advance to the quarter-finals, the South Americans will take on Germany, New Zealand or Cape Verde.

Three places are up for grabs at the tournament in Greece.

"I would like to be in Brazil and train with the national team,” Nene said.

“I believe it is possible for the team to qualify for the Olympics and I will be supporting the national team in the hope that they will be in Beijing.

“I want to thank Moncho, who I don't know personally, for his understanding and for his words of support."

Monsalve was appointed Brazil coach earlier this year.

Nene will remain in the United States until he gets the all clear from the doctors.

FIBA