Sports

Thunder fans need to find something to hate about Nene

By Jenni Carlson • Published: April 16, 2011
You’re going to need to channel your inner Kendrick Perkins, Thunder fans.

The target: Nene.

On a team that has its share of colorful characters to play the bad-guy role, the Nuggets center has become Public Enemy No. 1 in the Thunder Nation. First, he went toe-to-toe and forehead-to-forehead with Perkins, then he tussled with the Thunder big man again a few days later. Now, he’s coming to town for a wild, wild Western Conference showdown.

Sure hope...

Oklahoman subscribers have access to this article. Unlock it below.

What is this? Learn more.

NewsOK.com has disabled the comments for this article.
Racheal Ray "Lost 47 Lbs"
Hailed as the "Holy Grail" of Weight Loss. Try it Today.
womenshealthlive.com
health news
You May Have Leukemia & Not Know It. Learn About Signs & Symptoms Now.
evergreen4cure.com


The Nene file
• Position: Center/Forward

• Height: 6-foot-11

• Weight: 250 pounds

• Born: Sept. 13, 1982, in Sao Carlos, Brazil

• Years pro: 8

• 2010-11 averages: 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks

• Career averages: 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.9 blocks

Nene was a nickname given to Maybyner Rodney Hilario, who was the youngest in his family and always hung out with a group of older kids. “Nene” means “baby” in Portuguese. He legally changed his name to it in 2003.

Plays bass guitar.

Diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2008. He missed more than two months of the 2007-08 season, but the following season, he had a career year with career-high averages in points and rebounds.

Favorite teams are soccer squads — Sao Paulo in the Brazilian league and FC Barcelona.

Does extensive charity work in his homeland of Brazil, including hosting a gospel event there for the past three summers and sponsoring more than 50 athletes in his hometown.