Anderson Varejao

Brazilian energy and hustle for the Cavaliers

via Wikipedia: Anderson Varejão · see source

Anderson França Varejão ( VAH-rə-ZHOWN; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɐ̃deʁsõ ˈfɾɐ̃sɐ vɐɾeˈʒɐ̃w]; born September 28, 1982) is a Brazilian former professional basketball player who is currently a player development consultant and global ambassador for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent 13 of his 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). With a career that spanned four professional leagues, Varejão also played for Franca and the Flamengo of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), Barcelona of the EuroLeague and Liga ACB, and has been a regular member of the Brazilian national team, winning a gold medal in 2003 at the Pan American Games.

Quick Facts

Position: Player development consultant and global ambassador
League: NBA
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Born: 28 September 1982
Birthplace: Colatina, Brazil
Draft round: 2
Draft pick: 30
Drafted by: Orlando Magic

Lore & Background

Anderson Varejão played for Franca from 1998 to 2002, then signed with FC Barcelona in January 2002. He helped Barcelona win the Liga ACB championship in 2003 and 2004, and the EuroLeague championship in 2010. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the 2004 NBA draft and traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played for the Cavaliers from 2004 to 2016, earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2010. He helped the Cavaliers reach the 2007 NBA Finals.

Reader's Guide

Varejão is known for his energetic play, rebounding, and taking charges. He led the NBA in charges taken in the 2006–07 season with 99. He was a fan favorite in Cleveland, with a wig giveaway in 2006 attempting a world record. He signed a six-year, $42.5 million contract with the Cavaliers in 2009.

Did You Know?

He scored a career-high 26 points on January 2, 2009, against the Chicago Bulls.
He made the only successful three-pointer of his career on December 30, 2009, but the Cavaliers lost that game.
Varejão suffered a torn tendon in his foot in January 2011 and a broken wrist in December 2011, ending both seasons early.