By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
The latest edition of FIBA Intercontinental Cup (after its re-launch in 2013) will connect fans from all over the world in one star-like event. And when it comes to stars, Flamengo’s Anderson Varejao can live up to this acclaim.
Older readers may remember the exuberant Brazilian big man from his two-year stint in Barcelona back in 2002, which was sealed by a EuroLeague trophy in 2013. Since then, Varejao’s career elevated, bringing joy to Brazilian fans.
The beginning
For the now 36-year-old player, it all started over two decades ago, when he began his professional career in Sao Paolo’s Franca. During his time there, he was noticed by Barcelona’s well-trained coaching stuff and his landing in Europe followed when he turned 20.
Back then, Barcelona was at its full glory, slowly rising in European territory, and the Brazilian sensation had the chance to grow next to Euro-legends like Dejan Bodiroga, before using his valuable experience and the EuroLeague All-Star honor on an even bigger stage than EuroLeague: that of the NBA.
Long-term presence in Cleveland and a ring gone… M.I.A.
The year is 2004 and Varejao gets selected with the 30th pick in the second round of the NBA draft by Orlando Magic. In July of this year, he steps foot in Cleveland, where he was meant to stay until 2016.
One would expect that after spending eleven and a half seasons with one team, the relations with its staff and board would be a least on a decent level. That’s just not the case for Varejao, who seems to have distanced himself following his departure from the Cavs and a small appearance in Portland.
Fun fact is that the Brazilian big man is still theoretically eligible to receive his 2015-16 season ring (as Cavs beat the Warriors in the finals that year), though back then he expressed no desire to receive his. Weird or not, it makes sense, in the light that a) he didn’t help the Cavs in the finals and b) his departure from the team was followed by a “bad” trade. Varejao didn’t choose not to continue in Cleveland, he was suddenly traded to Portland in a deal that also included Channing Frye. Certainly not the ending you would expect after dedicating a good amount of time with a team.
Oakland and his friendship with Klay Thompson
Following his eleven seasons spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the trade to Trail Blazers, Varejao was free to move on with Golden State Warriors, where his destiny was to become close friends with superstar Klay Thompson. His time in Oakland was rather short, as he was signed by Golden State in February 2016 and was then cut by their front office in February 2017.
Prior to his cutting, the friendship between the two men grew fast, and while there’s not much public ‘evidence’, it’s been said that the Brazilian big man was Thompson’s closest friend on the team. Thompson and Varejao were on the road buddies, sharing a room and quality time in games away from home.
Despite Thompson’s whole internet “cult: persona, it was really endearing how he was deeply affected by his friend’s departure, and it was just then when everyone on the team noticed how connected these two were.
Varejao’s time in Oakland may not be remembered so much for basketball, though it is a great indicator of how his qualities that exceed the four lines of the court. The Brazilian himself seemed to really fit into Klay’s mentality and even used to give him pre-game advice, as the latter admits.