Brazil announce Olympic roster
RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Brazil will not have veteran center Tiago Splitter or guard Larry Taylor but an experienced squad will nevertheless take the floor and aim for a podium finish under coach Ruben Magnano when the country hosts the Summer Games next month.
Among the headline names in the final 12 is guard Marcelinho Huertas, who is coming off his first season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. The playmaker has been in the senior team since the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship.
| Brazil 12-player roster for Rio 2016 Olympic Games | |||
| Leandro Barbosa | Vitor Benite | Marcelinho Huertas | Alex Garcia |
| Guilherme Giovanonni | Rafael Hettsheimeir | Augusto Lima | Rafa Luz |
| Nene | Raulzinho Neto | Anderson Varejao | Marquinhos Vieira |
Without Splitter, who is still recovering after a hip operation, the Brazilians will rely on Nene and fellow centers Rafael Hettsheimeir and Augusto Lima.
Brazil made it to the Quarter-Finals of the Olympics four years ago in London before falling to their nemesis, Argentina. They also had a good run at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, reaching the Quarter-Finals.
The aim this time will be to go further and to challenge for a medal.
Brazil will play in Group B at the Olympics against Argentina, Croatia, Lithuania, Nigeria and Spain.
We have now completed the official Draw of the #Rio2016 Men's Olympic #Basketball Tournament! pic.twitter.com/6eEYcbVBab
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 10, 2016
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