Brazil names 4 NBA players to Olympics squad

Leandro Barbosa and Nene of the National Basketball Association (NBA) were included on Brazil's men's basketball squad for the London Games despite having turned their backs on the team for last year's qualyfying event.

Prior to the naming of the squad by Brazil's Argentine coach Ruben Magnano on Thursday, there had been doubt as to whether Barbosa, a guard with the Indiana Pacers, and Nene, a forward with the Washington Wizards, would be included.

Brazil's head coach Ruben Magnano (2nd R) reacts with players and coaches after their team was defeated by the USA during their FIBA Basketball World Championship game in Istanbul in this Aug 30, 2010 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

But Magnano, who steered his own country to the gold medal at the Athens Games in 2004, told Reuters in an interview last week that Brazil could not afford to "close doors" and would take the strongest team possible to London.

The pair missed last year's Americas qualifying tournament where Brazil booked their ticket for London, the country's first appearance at the Games in 16 years.

NBA centers Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs were also named to the list of 15 that will be cut to 12 for the July 27 - Aug 12 Games.

Also included was US-born guard Larry Taylor, who recently obtained Brazilian nationality.

The squad will assemble on June 10 to prepare for the Games where they have been drawn in Group B with 2008 Olympic silver medallists Spain, hosts Britain, Australia and China.

Toronto Raptors' Leandro Barbosa points out directions to teammates during the third quarter of the their NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland March 13, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Brazil Olympic squad:

Marcelo Huertas (Barcelona), Larry Taylor (Bauru), Raulzinho (Lagun Aro BGC), Leandro Barbosa (Indiana Pacers), Marcelo Machado, Caio Torres (both Flamengo), Marquinhos (Pinheiro), Alex, Guilherme Giovannoni (both Brasilia), Anderson Varejao (Cleveland Cavaliers), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Rafael Hettsheimer (Zaragoza), Nene (Washington Wizards), Ricardo Fischer (Sao Jose) and Ronald (Brasilia)