Nene: « Brazil can now compete against the best »

WASHINGTON (NBA/FIBA) - As usual in every international competition, some teams surprise, while others disappoint or confirm their improvement. Despite being included in the toughest group of the first round of the last FIBA Basketball World Cup alongside powerhouses such as Spain and France, Brazil had a great campaign in last summer’s 24 teams event.

Although finishing sixth after being beaten in the quarterfinals by the future silver medallist, Serbia, Brazil has shown their recent progression, after winning back-to-back titles at the 2005 and 2009 FIBA Americas Championships and reaching the 5th place at the 2012 London Olympics.

One of the reasons of the Seleção competitiveness is linked directly with the presence of some talents that have helped improve basketball in Brazil by affirming themselves in the NBA.

From Golden State Warriors’ Leandro Barbosa, to San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter, Washington Wizard’s Nenê Hilario and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejão, numerous players are having great careers in the best league in the world.

Nenê, a 12-years NBA veteran and the first Brazilian player ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2002, is one of the pillars of the team coached by Ruben Magnano.

But the Sao Carlos’ native international career has been often affected by injuries.

Since he made his debut at the 2003 Panamerican Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Nenê has only taken part of five competitions with his national team.

While considered as one of the players to follow last summer in Spain, Nenê displayed during the competition that he is one of the most skilled big men of the world by averaging 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1 block per game.

Fiba.com caught up with Nenê to talk about his season and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

FIBA: Nene Hilario, you are starting your fourth season with the Washington Wizards. How are you feeling so far?

Nene: I am feeling great, in very good shape and ready to do great things on the court. I am happy because compared to the last few seasons I have no injuries. I have been playing well so far and I am really enthusiastic for this season. I am a veteran now, so I am trying to enjoy the years I still have left at their best. I am here to give my best for the team and help the youngest players improve their game.

FIBA: The Washington Wizards currently have a record of 6 wins and only 2 losses to date.

Nene: The team has been playing well so far. We had to confirm after our good 2013-2014 season and I think we have been showing that we have been improving since then. We have a great and deep roster and we are going to have a good season. Everybody is talking about how good the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls are, but we are also a very competitive team. Not being under the spotlight isn’t a problem for us. We are going to surprise a lot of people this season.

FIBA: You have been part of the team that reached the sixth place at the last 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. How do you feel about Brazil’s campaign in Spain last summer?

Nene: We had a great tournament even if we failed to win a medal. We were in the toughest group of the tournament but we did pretty well during the first round. We won games against some of the best teams of the World, like France and Serbia for example, and we have shown to the world that Brazil can play very well. We had a great game against Argentina – probably our best of the whole tournament - but it was disappointing to lose against Serbia in the quarterfinals. We finished sixth but we shown that Brazil can compete against the best teams.

FIBA: Compared to previous international tournaments, Brazil has shown up in Spain with his best roster.

Nene: Yes. It felt good to know that everybody was healthy and in shape at the beginning of the tournament. We have been dealing with a lot of injuries in the last few years and the coach is, unfortunately, not always able to have all the players available for the national team. But everybody worked hard and wanted to participate in that competition. It is always a pleasure for me to be with my teammates and give my best on the court with the national team. 
 
FIBA: The 2016 Rio Olympics are a bit less than two years away from now. Are they already on your mind? 

Nene: We still have a lot of time to think about it but it is going to be an important tournament for us. It will be amazing to compete at home in front of our fans and family. Participating at the Olympics is something incredible for every athlete. Being at the 2012 London Olympics is one of the best moments of my career so far.

FIBA