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The United States can take a big step towards qualification if they are able to beat Brazil, who demolished Chile in its opener, Sunday morning. The Brazilians are believed to be a step down from Turkey, Serbia, and the United States, but anyone who has watched them in international competition recently knows that Brazil has had some basketball success for awhile.
Unlike the Turks, the Brazilians have a bit more of a mix of young guys and older guys, so the United States shouldn't be at as much of a physical disadvantage. They do, however, have all professionals like Turkey, though many of whom play in a not great Brazilian league and get little playing time.
Humberto Gomes
Height: 6-5
Age: 20
2015 team: Pinheiros/Sky (Brazil)
2015 stats: 1.17 ppg, .87 rpg
NBA Draft: 2015 withdrawal
Deryk Ramos
Height: 6-1
Age: 21
2015 team: Limeira (Brazil)
2015 stats: 8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.2 apg
Arthur da Luz
Height: 6-9
Age: 23
2015 team: Paulistano
Guilherme Pereira
Height: 6-3
Age: 24
2015 team: Bauru (Brazil)
2015 stats: 7.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Gerson do Espirito Santo
Height: 6-6
Age: 23
2015 team: Mogi das Cruces (Brazil)
2015 stats: 7.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Gemerson Silva
Height: 6-5
Age: 22
2015 team: Paulistano (Brazil)
2015 stats: 3 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Daniel Bordignon
Height: 6-9
Age:19
2015 team: Planasa NV (Spanish 2nd Division)
2015 stats: 5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Antonio Ferreira
Height:5-10
Age:21
2015 team: Vivo/Franca (Brazil)
2015 stats: 5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Lucas Dias
Height:6-10
Age:19
2015 team:Pinheiros/Sky (Brazil)
2015 stats: 5.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Gege Chaia
Height: 6-2
Age:24
2015 team: Flamengo (Brazil)
2015 stats: 3.3 ppg, 4 apg
Chaia and Flamengo won the 2014 FIBA Intercontinental Cup
Henrique Coelho
Height: 6-2
Age:22
2015 team: Minas (Brazil)
2015 stats: 12.09 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.25 apg
Leonardo Demetrio
Height: 6-8
Age:21
2015 team: Minas (Brazil)
2015 stats: 7 ppg, 4 rpg
The Brazilians have one of the better NBA draft prospects the US will see in the tournament (and maybe the best one in the game given Cheick Diallo and Svi Mykhailiuk are unable to play) as well as a couple of guys who have seen success both individually and on a team level in Brazil. The Brazilian team will feature a lot of guys who are familiar with each other as well as some who are teammates, so they'll have familiarity. Brazil isn't thought to be a contender to advance to the medal round, but they'll be no pushover.