“Wild Thing” Wins the FIBA Gold With Brazil

Anderson Varejao and the Brazil National Team won the FIBA Americas Championship on Sunday.  Muchos congrats to the Human Palm Tree.

FIBA Americas Qualifier: Day 12

Brazils Anderson Varejao, left, celebrates with teammate Marcelo Huertas after defeating Puerto Rico 61-60.  (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Brazil's Anderson Varejao, left, celebrates with teammate Marcelo Huertas after defeating Puerto Rico 61-60. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)


September 7, 2009 12:21 AM

By Alfredo R. Berrios
ESPNdeportes.com

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Brazilian Golden Boys. Brazil won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship by defeating Puerto Rico 61-60 Sunday.
Leandro Barbosa scored 24 points and Tiago Splitter added 13 points with 9 rebounds for the Brazilian squad.
Players coming from the bench gave Puerto Rico a final offensive push in the final quarter. However, they fell short.
Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 14 points and missed a crucial final shot.
Argentina finished with a bronze medal after defeating Canada 88-73 in the first game of the final stage.
Luis Scola led his team once again with 27 points and Pablo Prigioni scored 17 with 8 assists. Paolo Quinteros helped with 13 points and Juan Cantero came from the bench to make 11.
Jermaine Anderson scored 19 points and 11 assists for Canada; Levon Kendall scored 12 points, Aaron Doornekamp 11 and Kyle Landry 10.
Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico have qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship. The World Championship will take place in Turkey from August 28 to Sept. 12, 2010.`