By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Five players of the 2019 FIBA World Cup officially tied the record last record with their participation in a fifth World Cup. Argentina’s Luis Scola and Angola’s Eduardo Minga hit the mark, so did three Brazilian players, Leandro Barbosa, The latter discussed the achievement with FIBA.
“It’s a special one (for me) and the two other guys on the team, I am very happy to be in this position. It means a lot for me to be here” says Barbosa. “This is a very competitive tournament, and hopefully we can do a good job in my fifth World Cup as this is going to be my last one.”
“I was the youngest player on the team, we had a lot of veterans including Varejao’s older brother [Sandro]” he remembered his first World Cup. “Now, I am in an opposite situation. I am one of the veterans on the team, and we have some good young guys coming up. My and other guys’ duty is to help them up.”
“Looking up to veterans, getting some experience from them, playing the game, enjoying it, having fun and taking care of yourself because you can be in the situation we are right now” adds the Brazilian Blur.
“Alex is one of my best friends on the team” he mentioned on Garcia. “We have shared hotel rooms for almost 20 years. Ever since we started our national team careers, we have been roommates. We have a very close relationship.”
“With Varejao, it’s not like with Alex, but it’s still a close friendship” Barbosa noted on his other record-tying experienced teammate. “We played together for the Golden State Warriors for one season; we have been in a national team together for many years, it’s a good relationship.”
“It’s a tough tournament” he furthered on the World Cup in progress. “It is a lot of countries competing for the same goal. Hopefully, we are going do well as this is going to be my last World Cup, and the three of us want to make sure we do a great job for our country. With the team that we have, we hope to make some impact in the world.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL