NBA champion Barbosa chosen as AmeriCup 2022 ambassador

Former Brazilian national team player and NBA champion Leandro Barbosa was selected as the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 ambassador on Wednesday in the hopes of helping participants feel engaged in the upcoming tournament.

Barbosa, who is a two-time AmeriCup champion, said that he is happy to be involved with basketball off the court after hanging up his jersey.

In his illustrious career with the Brazilian national team, Barbosa competed on numerous FIBA events, including the 2002 FIBA World Cup, the 2003 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2005 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2006 FIBA World Cup.

“People will see what Brazilian basketball is. It will be exciting. I’m really happy to be there and I’ll finally be involved off the court without playing. This will be my first time so I don’t know how I’m going to feel,” said the soft-spoken Barbosa.

The FIBA AmeriCup 2022, which returns to Brazil after nearly four decades, will kick-off this Sep 2 in Brasilia and Recife.