SAO PAULO, Brazil - Denver Nuggets forward Nene will not play for Brazil in Olympic qualifying because of injuries.
Nene's absence is a blow to Brazil's chances of reaching Beijing, as the team was already without Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who was injured in the NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
The Nuggets' team doctor Steven Traina sent a letter Friday to the Brazilian Basketball Confederation explaining that Nene would require more time to recover after treatment for testicular cancer and other injuries. The Brazilians were hoping to have both Nene and Varejao for the Olympic qualifying tournament next month in Athens, Greece.
"This has been a difficult season for me," Nene said. "Not only on the technical side, but the emotional as well."
Brazil has not qualified for the Olympics in basketball since 1996.