Leandro Barbosa

Leandro Mateus Aparecida Barbosa (born November 28, 1982), 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).

He also represented the senior Brazilian national basketball team.

After that, he was traded to the Brazilian club Bauru, in January 2001.

During his first season as a professional in Brazil, while playing with Tilibra/Bauru, he was coached by Jorge "Guerrinha" Guerra.

He averaged 15.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

He was named the São Paulo State Championship's 2001 Rookie of the Year.

Barbosa 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.

In 2002, he won Brazil's top-tier level league, the Brazilian Championship, as a member of Bauru.

Barbosa was also selected to the senior Brazilian national team, and he played at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.

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.

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 ten-game streak from January 2 to 19.

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

He 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, and in the United States he was nicknamed "The Brazilian Blur", referring to his playing speed.

At a height of 1.92 m (6' 33⁄4") tall, he played at the shooting guard position.

Barbosa started his career with Palmeiras when he was 17.

He 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.

At 19, while playing in the regional São Paulo State Championship with Palmeiras, he averaged 14.2 points per game.

He scored a career-high of 41 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2009.

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

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.

With the lockout concluding in December 2011, he returned to the Raptors.

On March 15, 2012, Barbosa was traded to the Indiana Pacers for a future second-round pick.

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.

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

This injury ruled him out for the rest of the 2012–13 season.

He 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.

He'd have his best night during the first 10-day contract on January 13 against the New York Knicks when Barbosa would score 21 points, which was 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.

On February 12, 2013, after a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on February 11, it was confirmed that Barbosa had suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.

On February 21, 2013, Barbosa and Jason Collins were traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jordan Crawford.

Despite being on the team during that time, he'd never play for the Wizards in the process.

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, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists for the team.

In January 2014, he returned to the United States to play in the NBA once again.

On January 8, 2014, Barbosa signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

Barbosa would immediately play for the Suns in their 104–103 close victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.