Anderson Varejao will miss the Olympics in his home country. (AFP Photo/Jorge Guerrero) The Brazilian men’s basketball team will be without one of its most recognizable and popular players when it hosts the Olympic tournament in Rio de Janeiro. As announced by the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, veteran big man Anderson Varejao will miss the Olympics due to a back injury:
Warriors center Anderson Varejao was examined earlier this week by Dr. Robert Watkins at the Marina Spine Center in Marina Del Rey, CA, and was diagnosed with a small lower back disc herniation. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but will be forced to miss the 2016 Summer Olympics due to the injury.
Varejao recently experienced back pain while participating with the Brazilian National Team and returned to California to be examined by Dr. Watkins, a renowned spine specialist.
The 33-year-old Varejao has represented Brazil in every major international tournament appearance from 2002 through 2014 and would have participated in his second Olympics in August. He is not the oldest member of the Olympic roster, but he and Leandro Barbosa have been the nation’s most visible basketball players for more than a decade.
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However, Brazil is probably more capable of replacing Varejao than many other players on the roster. Although he can still contribute as a rebounder and defender, anyone who watched Varejao in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers knows that he is no longer nearly as effective as he was in his prime. Brazil also has several capable big men on the roster, including veteran Nene Hilario, and has another NBA player available in Bulls youngster Cristiano Felicio as a likely replacement.
However Brazil ends up replacing Varejao, it’s a shame that he will not be in uniform to represent his country. After signing with the Warriors in midseason, Varejao spoke with pride over joining Barbosa to become the first Brazilian teammates in NBA history. He is clearly someone who feels a great connection to his home country, so here’s hoping he can take on some role next month.

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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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