Anderson Varejão facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anderson Varejão

Varejão with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021
Cleveland Cavaliers
Player Development Consultant and Global Ambassador
Personal information
Born	(1982-09-28) September 28, 1982 (age 42) Colatina, Brazil
Listed height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight	260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2004 / Round: 2 / Pick: 30th overall
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Pro career	1998–2021
Career history
1998–2002	Franca
2002–2004	Barcelona
2004–2016	Cleveland Cavaliers
2016–2017	Golden State Warriors
2018–2019	Flamengo
2021	Cleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2010) NBB champion (2019) EuroLeague champion (2003) 2× Liga ACB champion (2003, 2004) Copa del Rey de Baloncesto champion (2003) Supercopa de España de Baloncesto champion (2004) 2× Campeonato Brasileiro de Basquete winner (1998, 1999)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Brazil FIBA AmeriCup Silver 2001 Neuquén National team Gold 2005 Santo Domingo National team Gold 2009 San Juan National team FIBA South American Championship Gold 2003 Montevideo National team Pan American Games Gold 2003 Santo Domingo National team

Anderson França Varejão, born on September 28, 1982, is a famous Brazilian former basketball player. He spent most of his career, 13 out of 14 seasons, with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Varejão also played for teams in Brazil and Spain. He was a regular player for the Brazilian national team. In 2003, he won a gold medal at the Pan American Games. Today, he works for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a Player Development Consultant and Global Ambassador.

Anderson Varejão's Basketball Journey

Playing in Brazil: Franca (1998–2002)

Anderson Varejão started his professional basketball career in Brazil. From 1998 to 2002, he played for the Franca Basquetebol Clube team. In the 2001–02 season, he was a strong player. He scored about 17.7 points and grabbed 9.7 rebounds per game.

Playing in Spain: Barcelona (2002–2004)

In January 2002, Varejão moved to Spain. He joined FC Barcelona Bàsquet, a top team in the Liga ACB. In the 2002–03 season, he helped Barcelona win their first-ever EuroLeague championship. He also helped them win the Liga ACB championship that year. In the 2003–04 season, Barcelona won the Liga ACB championship again.

NBA Career with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2004–2016)

Starting in the NBA (2004–2006)

The Orlando Magic picked Varejão in the 2004 NBA draft. Soon after, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his first season, he played in 54 games. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He was known for getting many offensive rebounds.

In the 2005–06 season, Varejão missed some games due to a shoulder injury. When he returned, he continued to be a strong rebounder. Fans at the Cavaliers' arena even wore wigs like his hair to celebrate him! During the 2006 playoffs, he played a key role. He helped the Cavaliers win important games.

Becoming a Key Player (2006–2008)

In the 2006–07 season, Varejão played more minutes. He averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He was excellent at defense, taking many charges from opposing players. He helped the Cavaliers reach the 2007 NBA Finals. They played against the San Antonio Spurs but lost the series.

In the 2007 offseason, Varejão signed a new contract with the Cavaliers. In the 2007–08 season, he had career-high averages in minutes and rebounds. He continued to be a strong defensive player.

All-Defensive Honors and Injuries (2008–2013)

Varejão playing in 2006

Varejão kept improving his game. In the 2008–09 season, he scored a career-high 26 points in one game. In 2009, he signed a long-term contract with the Cavaliers. At the end of the 2009–10 season, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. This showed he was one of the best defensive players in the league.

Varejão became the Cavaliers' starting center in the 2010–11 season. However, he had to miss the rest of the season due to a foot injury. In the 2011–12 season, he returned as the starting center. He had a game with 20 points and 20 rebounds. But he got another injury, a broken wrist, which ended his season early.

Varejão in 2012

The 2012–13 season started great for Varejão. He almost got a triple-double in one game. He also scored a career-high 35 points in another game. Sadly, he had to miss the rest of this season too because of a blood clot in his lung. Despite the injuries, he had career-high averages in points, rebounds, and assists that season.

Last Years in Cleveland (2013–2016)

Varejão in 2013

In the 2013–14 season, Varejão played in 65 games. He continued to be a strong rebounder for the team. In October 2014, he signed a new contract with the Cavaliers. He was playing well, especially with LeBron James.

Varejão in 2014

However, in December 2014, Varejão suffered a serious injury. He tore his Achilles tendon and missed the rest of the 2014–15 season. The Cavaliers reached the 2015 NBA Finals but lost to the Golden State Warriors.

Varejão returned for the 2015–16 season. In February 2016, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. But the Blazers immediately released him.

Playing for the Golden State Warriors (2016–2017)

A few days after leaving the Blazers, Varejão signed with the Golden State Warriors. This was a big deal because the Warriors were one of the best teams. The Warriors made it to the 2016 NBA Finals. They faced Varejão's old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This made him the first player in NBA history to play for both teams in the same NBA Finals season. The Warriors lost to the Cavaliers. Varejão was offered a championship ring by the Cavaliers, but he politely declined it.

In July 2016, Varejão re-signed with the Warriors. The Warriors went on to win the NBA Finals in 2017. This time, Varejão accepted a championship ring from them.

Playing in Brazil: Flamengo (2018–2019)

In January 2018, Varejão returned to Brazil. He signed a contract with Flamengo. He played for them for two seasons.

Return to Cleveland (2021)

In May 2021, Varejão signed a short contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played in five games for them before the season ended.

Retirement from Playing

After the 2020–21 season, Anderson Varejão announced he was retiring from playing professional basketball.

Life After Playing: Executive Career

On January 13, 2023, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Varejão for a new role. He became a Player Development Consultant and Global Ambassador for the team. This means he helps players grow and represents the team around the world.

Playing for Brazil's National Team

Varejão was a regular player for the Brazilian national team since 2001. He won a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. He also played in many World Cup tournaments.

Anderson Varejão's Playing Style

Varejão earned the nickname "Wild Thing" because of his energetic way of playing and his wild hair. He was known for his hustle and for trying to draw fouls from opponents. His former teammate, LeBron James, defended Varejão's playing style.

Personal Life

Anderson Varejão's older brother, Sandro, was also a professional basketball player. His niece, Izabel, played college basketball. Varejão is married to Stacy Bradley, and they have two children.

NBA Career Stats Summary

Here's a quick look at Anderson Varejão's career statistics in the NBA:

Regular Season

Playoffs

See also

In Spanish: Anderson Varejão para niños