Leandro Mateus Barbosa (Portuguese pronunciation: [leˈɐ̃dɾu baʁˈbozɐ]; born November 28, 1982),[1] also known as Leandrinho Barbosa, is a Brazilian former professional basketball player who is an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[2] He also represented the senior Brazilian national basketball team. Barbosa previously won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, with the Suns in 2007, and an NBA championship with Golden State in 2015. In Brazil, he is also commonly known by his nickname "Leandrinho" ("Little Leandro") Barbosa,[3] and in the United States, Barbosa was nicknamed "The Brazilian Blur", referring to his playing speed.[4] At a height of 1.92 m (6' 334") tall,[5] Barbosa played at the shooting guard position.

Leandro Barbosa
Barbosa with Brazil at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Sacramento Kings
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1982-11-28) November 28, 1982 (age 41)
São Paulo, Brazil
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2003: 1st round, 28th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career1999–2020
PositionShooting guard / point guard
Number10, 20, 28, 12, 19
Coaching career2020–present
Career history
As player:
1999–2001Palmeiras
2001–2003Bauru
20032010Phoenix Suns
20102012Toronto Raptors
2011Flamengo
2012Indiana Pacers
2012–2013Boston Celtics
2013–2014Pinheiros
2014Phoenix Suns
20142016Golden State Warriors
2016–2017Phoenix Suns
2017–2018Franca
2018–2020Minas
As coach:
20202022Golden State Warriors (assistant)
2022–presentSacramento Kings (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As assistant coach:

Career NBA statistics
Points9,035 (10.6 ppg)
Rebounds1,720 (2.0 rpg)
Assists1,775 (2.1 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Brazil
FIBA AmeriCup
Gold medal – first place 2005 Santo Domingo
Gold medal – first place 2009 San Juan

Early career

edit

Barbosa started his career with Palmeiras when he was 17. Barbosa played in the regional São Paulo State Championship, under the command of Lula Ferreira, who went on to become the senior Brazilian national team's head coach.[6]

At the age of 19, while playing in the regional São Paulo State Championship with Palmeiras, Barbosa averaged 14.2 points per game. After that, he was traded to the Brazilian club Bauru, in January 2001.[6]

During his first season as a professional in Brazil, while playing with Tilibra/Bauru, Barbosa was coached by Jorge "Guerrinha" Guerra. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Barbosa was named the São Paulo State Championship's 2001 Rookie of the Year.[7] He ended the season as the regional competition's fourth-ranked player in three-point field goal percentage, sixth in assists, and eleventh in field goals.[6] In 2002, Barbosa won Brazil's top-tier level league, the Brazilian Championship, as a member of Bauru. He was also selected to the senior Brazilian national team, and Barbosa played at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.[8]

Professional career

edit
 
Barbosa shoots the ball during a game against the Golden State Warriors in March 2009

Phoenix Suns (2003–2010)

edit

At 6'3" with a 6'10" wingspan, Barbosa was selected 28th overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs, but his rights were acquired by the Suns in a trade for a future protected first-round draft pick.

Barbosa holds the Suns record for points scored in a game by a rookie as a first-time starter, with 27 against the Chicago Bulls on January 5, 2004.[9] He set the Suns' record for three-point field goals by a rookie in consecutive games when he hit at least one three-pointer per game during a 10-game streak from January 2 to 19.[9]

During the 2006–2007 season, Barbosa averaged 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 32.7 minutes per game despite playing off the bench.[10] He was also the recipient of the 2006–07 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.[4]

Barbosa scored a career-high of 41 points in a 140–118 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2009. He also had seven rebounds, seven assists, and six steals.

Toronto Raptors (2010–2012)

edit

On July 14, 2010, Barbosa was traded along with Dwayne Jones to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Hedo Türkoğlu.[11]

On August 18, 2011, Barbosa signed with Flamengo Basketball of Brazil for the duration of the 2011 NBA lockout. His deal had an out-clause that would allow him to return to the NBA once the lockout ended.[12] With the lockout concluding in December 2011, Barbosa returned to the Raptors.

Indiana Pacers (2012)

edit

On March 15, 2012, Barbosa was traded to the Indiana Pacers for a future second-round pick.[13] With the help of Barbosa, Indiana improved significantly enough to make it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Miami Heat.

Boston Celtics (2012–2013)

edit

On October 18, 2012, Barbosa signed with the Boston Celtics.[14]

On February 12, 2013, after a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on February 11, it was confirmed that Barbosa tore his ACL, prematurely ending his season.[15] Barbosa was the third member of the team whose injury ended his season early in a span of three weeks, joining Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger.[citation needed]

Washington Wizards (2013)

edit

On February 21, 2013, Barbosa and Jason Collins were traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jordan Crawford.[16] Despite being on the team during that time, he'd never play for the Wizards in the process.

Esporte Clube Pinheiros (2013–2014)

edit

On November 19, 2013, Barbosa signed with the Esporte Clube Pinheiros of Brazil for the 2013–14 season. During this time, he averaged over 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists for the team. In January 2014, Barbosa returned to the United States to play in the NBA once again.[17]

Return to Phoenix (2014)

edit

On January 8, 2014, Barbosa signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.[18] He would immediately play for the Suns in their narrow 104–103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Barbosa would have his best night during the first 10-day contract on January 13 against the New York Knicks when he scored 21 points, marking his first 20+ point game since 2012, back when he played for Boston. However, Barbosa would have a right shoulder strain after the game.

On January 18, Barbosa signed a second 10-day contract with the Suns.[19] He made his first home debut with the Suns in over four years the next day in a 117–103 victory over the Denver Nuggets. During his second 10-day contract, Barbosa's best performance came on January 24 at home against the Washington Wizards, where he scored 10 points against them.

On January 28, 2014, following the Suns' road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which subsequently marked the end of his second 10-day contract, the Suns liked Barbosa's production for the team and they decided to sign him for the rest of the 2013–14 NBA season.[20] On March 4, in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, Barbosa fractured his right hand, and as a result, he missed the rest of the season.

Golden State Warriors (2014–2016)

edit
 
Barbosa in 2015

On September 10, 2014, Barbosa signed with the Golden State Warriors following his great performance at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[21] On December 30, Barbosa scored a season-high 17 points in a 126–86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.[22] He won his first NBA championship with the Warriors after they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals in six games.

On July 13, 2015, Barbosa re-signed with the Warriors.[23] In 2015–16, he helped the Warriors win an NBA record 73 games to eclipse the 72 wins set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls. The Warriors made it to the 2016 NBA Finals after overcoming a 3–1 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 2, Barbosa returned from a minor back injury to score 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting off the bench in a 104–89 victory.[24] The Warriors eventually lost the series in seven games despite a 3–1 lead.

Third stint with Phoenix (2016–2017)

edit

On July 19, 2016, Barbosa signed a multi-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, returning to the franchise for a third stint just weeks before playing for his home nation at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[25] On December 9, Barbosa scored a season-high 21 points and hit five three-pointers in a 119–115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.[26] On December 28, in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Barbosa played his 517th game with the Suns, moving him past Amar'e Stoudemire in to 10th on the Suns' all-time games played list.[27] On March 3, 2017, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Barbosa made his 544th appearance in a Suns jersey, passing Mark West for ninth all-time in games played. Barbosa's 14 points also pushed him past Connie Hawkins for 14th in all-time scoring with Phoenix.[28] Barbosa's final game in his NBA career was played on March 24, 2017, in a 120–130 loss to the Boston Celtics, where he recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal.

On July 3, 2017, Barbosa was waived by the Suns.[29]

Franca Basquetebol Clube (2017–2018)

edit

On November 17, 2017, Barbosa returned to Brazil and signed with Franca.[30][31]

Minas Storm Basquete (2018–2020)

edit

On December 13, 2018, Barbosa signed with Minas.[32] In the 2019–20 season, he was the league's leading scorer at 20.1 points per game before the season shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbosa and his then-pregnant wife contracted the virus but both recovered.[33]

Retirement

edit

On September 14, 2020, Barbosa announced his retirement from professional basketball.[34]

Coaching career

edit

On September 14, 2020, the Golden State Warriors announced that Barbosa would return as a player mentor coach.[35] He won his second NBA championship after the Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games in the 2022 NBA Finals.

On August 12, 2022, Barbosa was hired by the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach.[36]

NBA career statistics

edit
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship  *  Led the league

Regular season

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2003–04 Phoenix 70 46 21.4 .447 .395 .770 1.8 2.4 1.3 .1 7.9
2004–05 Phoenix 63 6 17.3 .475 .367 .797 2.1 2.0 .5 .1 7.0
2005–06 Phoenix 57 11 27.9 .481 .444 .755 2.6 2.8 .8 .1 13.1
2006–07 Phoenix 80 18 32.7 .476 .434 .845 2.7 4.0 1.2 .2 18.1
2007–08 Phoenix 82* 12 29.5 .462 .389 .822 2.8 2.6 .9 .2 15.6
2008–09 Phoenix 70 11 24.4 .482 .375 .881 2.6 2.3 1.2 .1 14.2
2009–10 Phoenix 44 5 17.9 .425 .324 .877 1.6 1.5 .5 .3 9.5
2010–11 Toronto 58 0 24.1 .450 .338 .796 1.7 2.1 .9 .1 13.3
2011–12 Toronto 42 0 22.5 .436 .360 .835 1.9 1.5 .9 .2 12.2
Indiana 22 0 19.8 .399 .424 .758 2.2 1.5 .9 .0 8.9
2012–13 Boston 41 2 12.5 .430 .383 .756 1.1 1.4 .4 .1 5.2
2013–14 Phoenix 20 0 18.4 .427 .280 .795 1.9 1.6 .4 .2 7.5
2014–15 Golden State 66 1 14.9 .474 .384 .784 1.4 1.5 .6 .1 7.1
2015–16 Golden State 68 0 15.9 .462 .355 .839 1.7 1.2 .6 .1 6.4
2016–17 Phoenix 67 0 14.4 .439 .357 .889 1.6 1.2 .5 .1 6.3
Career 850 112 21.6 .459 .387 .821 2.0 2.1 .8 .1 10.6

Playoffs

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2005 Phoenix 12 0 9.7 .343 .400 .500 1.4 1.0 .3 .0 2.5
2006 Phoenix 20 3 31.6 .470 .391 .862 1.6 2.7 .8 .2 14.2
2007 Phoenix 11 1 31.7 .405 .305 .718 3.5 2.2 1.1 .2 15.8
2008 Phoenix 5 1 28.6 .345 .222 .909 4.0 1.8 .6 .0 10.4
2010 Phoenix 16 0 15.6 .417 .343 .708 1.3 1.3 .3 .1 7.2
2012 Indiana 11 0 20.3 .370 .150 .500 2.2 1.3 .5 .1 5.7
2015 Golden State 21 0 10.9 .443 .348 .818 1.3 .9 .3 .0 5.0
2016 Golden State 23 0 11.0 .580 .393 .762 1.2 .7 .5 .0 5.6
Career 119 5 18.5 .437 .332 .770 1.7 1.4 .5 .1 8.0

National team career

edit

Barbosa was a longtime member of the senior Brazilian national basketball team. With Brazil, he played at the following major tournaments: the 2002 FIBA World Cup, the 2003 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2005 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2006 FIBA World Cup, the 2007 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2009 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2010 FIBA World Cup, the 2012 Summer Olympics, the 2014 FIBA World Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics.[37]

Barbosa was the top scorer of the 2007 FIBA AmeriCup.

Personal life

edit

Barbosa lived with Brazilian actress Samara Felippo from 2008 to 2013. They have two daughters, born in 2009[38][39] and 2013.

Barbosa is married to the international top model Talita Rocca. The ceremony was held in Brazil on July 6, 2019.[40]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Barbosa, Leandro". Current Biography Yearbook 2011. Ipswich, MA: H.W. Wilson. 2011. pp. 44–47. ISBN 9780824211219.
  2. ^ "Warriors Name Leandro Barbosa Player Mentor Coach 14-Year NBA Veteran & 2015 NBA Champion Joins Head Coach Steve Kerr's Staff". NBA.com. September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  3. ^ "Prospect Profile: Leandrinho Barbosa". NBA.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2006.
  4. ^ a b Barbosa runs away with Sixth Man Award, published April 23, 2007
  5. ^ Leandrinho Leandro Mateus Barbosa Posição Ala/Armador Altura / Peso 1.92 / 91kg (in Portuguese).
  6. ^ a b c "Perfil: Leandrinho Barbosa" (in Portuguese). NBA Brasil. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  7. ^ "Melhores do Ano 2001 – Troféu Oswaldo Caviglia" (in Portuguese). Federação Paulista de Basquete. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  8. ^ "Leandrinho". CBB. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "Leandro Barbosa: Bio". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  10. ^ "Leandro Barbosa Info Page". NBA.com. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  11. ^ "Raptors Acquire Barbosa And Jones From Phoenix". NBA.com. July 14, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  12. ^ Wolstat, Ryan. (August 18, 2011) Barbosa heads back to Brazil. torontosun.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  13. ^ "Pacers acquire Barbosa from Raptors". NBA.com. March 15, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "Celtics sign guard Barbosa". NBA.com. October 18, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  15. ^ Leandro Barbosa Injury Update. NBA.com (February 12, 2013). Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  16. ^ "Wizards Acquire Collins and Barbosa From Boston". NBA.com. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  17. ^ Leandrinho deixa Pinheiros para acertar volta para NBA. Jornalacidade.com.br (January 5, 2014). Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  18. ^ "Suns Sign Leandro Barbosa". NBA.com. January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  19. ^ "Suns Sign Barbosa to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 18, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  20. ^ "Suns Sign Barbosa for Remainder of Season". NBA.com. January 28, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  21. ^ "Warriors Sign Leandro Barbosa to Contract". NBA.com. September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  22. ^ Warriors keep rolling, topple 76ers 126–86. espn.go.com (December 31, 2014). Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  23. ^ "Warriors Re-Sign Free Agent Guard Leandro Barbosa". NBA.com. July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  24. ^ "Warriors' supporting cast leads Game 1 NBA Finals win". NBA.com. June 2, 2016. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  25. ^ "Suns Sign Leandro Barbosa". NBA.com. July 19, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  26. ^ "Leandro Barbosa 2016-17 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  27. ^ "Suns Game Notes" (PDF). NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^ Cunningham, Cody (March 3, 2017). "Suns Battle Out Win Against Thunder on McCoy ROH Night". NBA.com. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  29. ^ "Leandro Barbosa: Waived by Suns". cbssports.com. July 3, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  30. ^ "LEANDRINHO É FRANCA". lnb.com.br. November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  31. ^ "Franca Basquete signs Leandro Barbosa". November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  32. ^ Ivan Drummond (December 13, 2018). "Minas acerta contratação de Leandrinho" [Minas signs Leandrinho]. Superesportes. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  33. ^ Stein, Marc (April 27, 2020). "Leandro Barbosa's Family Grew During the Pandemic". The New York Times.
  34. ^ "Leandro Barbosa Announces Retirement, Joins Warriors as Player Mentor Coach". Bleacher Report. September 14, 2020.
  35. ^ "Warriors Name Leandro Barbosa Player Mentor Coach 14-Year NBA Veteran & 2015 NBA Champion Joins Head Coach Steve Kerr's Staff". NBA.com. September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  36. ^ "Kings Announce Coaching Staff for 2022-23 Season". NBA.com. August 12, 2022.
  37. ^ Leandro BARBOSA (BRA) SENIOR LEVEL.
  38. ^ "Samara Felippo se separa de Leandrinho" (in Portuguese). G1 – EGO. December 1, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  39. ^ "Samara Felippo e Leandrinho reatam relação e vão juntos ao Fashion Rio". UOL. June 1, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  40. ^ "Jogador de basquete Leandrinho vai casar com modelo; lista tem convidados famosos". vogue.globo.com. April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
edit