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It's an apt metaphor for Fab's freshman season as he failed to live up to the hype many had built up around him. But actually, Fab will be semi-literally taking on the world when he suits up for the Brazilian national team at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship .
The 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Men is the qualifying tournament for FIBA Americas at the men's basketball tournament of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Ten teams compete in the tournament, which will be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, between August 30 and September 11, 2011.
The US is not on of the participating teams since, as the defending Olympic champion, we automatically qualify for the next one. There will be some other notable participants, however.
Brazil is on Group A alongside Cube, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and a Canada team that might very well feature Andy Rautins, son of Leo, who'll probably coach it regardless.
Third-place finisher in the last Olympics, Argentina, is in the other Group.
After three games in your group, the top squads advance to a single elimination format.
Brazil hasn't made it to the Olympics since 1996, though they have won the Bronze three times (1948, 1960, 1964). Chances are, Melo will be playing alongside Brazilians and NBA players Leandro Barbosa and Anderson Varejão.