Name: Leandro Barbosa

Team: Toronto Raptors

Position: Shooting Guard

NBA Statistics: 12.6 (points), 2.6 (assists), 2.3 (rebounds)

Background: While there are a plethora of international players within the league, there are few that can provide as large an impact as the ‘Brazilian Blur’, Leandro Barbosa.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Barbosa spent his early years refining his craft with Paulista, Palmeiras and Tilibri/Copimax and in 2003 was drafted into the NBA as the 28th overall draft pick by the San Antonio Spurs. His draft rights were forfeited to the Phoenix Suns for a future first-round draft pick but by the end of his first season it was clear that the Suns got the better bargain.

In his first start of the franchise against the Chicago Bulls, the ‘Brazilian Blur’ recorded 27 points, which still stands as a record for the Phoenix Suns. Whether starting or coming off the bench his contributions could not be underplayed and as in a short space of time he began to gain recognition for his speed up and down the court, causing him to earn the nickname.

His best season to date was undoubtedly the 2006-2007 season where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 32.7 minutes a game despite coming off the bench. This exploit caused him to speed away with the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. In February 2009, he recorded a career-high 41 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, in the business of sports he was traded to the Toronto Raptors during the 2010-2011 pre season for Hedo Turkoglu.

Not forgetting his roots, some of his philanthropic efforts include working with the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Americas in Brazil.