Rolando Ferreira
Encyclopedia
Rolando Ferreira Júnior (born May 24, 1964 in Curitiba
, Paraná
) is a retired Brazil
ian professional basketball
player. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft
. A 7'1" center, Ferreira played in only one NBA
season as a member of the 1988–89 Blazers. In his NBA career, he played in 12 games and scored a total of 9 points. He owns the distinction of being the first Brazilian to play in the NBA.
Ferreira played college basketball at the University of Houston
for two seasons, and was a member of the Brazil national basketball team
for 12 years, taking part in three FIBA World Championship
s and two Olympic Games
. He was also part of the team which won the 1987 Pan American Games
in Indianapolis
over the US team. After his playing career, Ferreira went on to coach at the Universidade Federal do Paraná.
Today he is a basketball coach in Curitiba-Paraná, Brazil.
Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
, Paraná
Paraná (state)
Paraná is one of the states of Brazil, located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by São Paulo state, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by Mato Grosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay,...
) is a retired Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft
1988 NBA Draft
The 1988 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1988 in New York City, New York. The length was reduced from seven rounds in the previous year to three rounds.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Notable undrafted players:...
. A 7'1" center, Ferreira played in only one NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
season as a member of the 1988–89 Blazers. In his NBA career, he played in 12 games and scored a total of 9 points. He owns the distinction of being the first Brazilian to play in the NBA.
Ferreira played college basketball at the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
for two seasons, and was a member of the Brazil national basketball team
Brazil national basketball team
The Brazilian National Basketball Team represents Brazil in FIBA's basketball competitions.-Men's team:First drafted in 1922, the men's team has won two World Championships , three bronze Olympic medals , four Americas Championships and five Pan American Games .-Olympic Games:-FIBA...
for 12 years, taking part in three FIBA World Championship
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
s and two Olympic Games
Basketball at the Summer Olympics
Basketball has been a Summer Olympics sport for men consistently since 1936. Prior to its inclusion as a medal sport, it was held as demonstration event in 1904 and 1932, both in the United States. Women's basketball was played in the Olympics only since 1976....
. He was also part of the team which won the 1987 Pan American Games
1987 Pan American Games
The 1987 Pan American Games, officially known as the X Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event which was celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, from 7 August to 23 August 1987. Over 4,300 athletes from 38 countries in the Americas competed in 30 sports earning...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
over the US team. After his playing career, Ferreira went on to coach at the Universidade Federal do Paraná.
Today he is a basketball coach in Curitiba-Paraná, Brazil.