Celebrity Biographies
Anderson Varejão Biography And Net Worth
Meet Anderson Varejão: The Brazilian Basketball Star
Anderson França Varejão a former Brazilian pro basketball player, is the focus of our article. He had a 14-season career in the NBA, with 13 of those seasons spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Varejão’s basketball journey also took him through other leagues, including Franca and Flamengo in the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), Barcelona in the EuroLeague, and Liga ACB. He was also a key player for the Brazilian national team, clinching a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.
In this article, RNN will talk about the career of the famous basketball player, Anderson Varejão. We’ll begin with his early life, and professional career and talk about how much money he has, giving you all the important details about this sports superstar.
Bio Data
| Full Name | Anderson França Varejão |
| Date Of Birth | September 28, 1982 |
| Age | 41 Years Old |
| Place Of Birth | Colatina, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Net Worth | $40 Million |
| Marital Status | Married |
Early Life
Anderson Varejão was born on September 28, 1982, in Colatina, Brazil, to Sebastio Antonio Varejão and Nely Varejão, grew up in a family of 5 with his parents and siblings Sandro, Simone, Angelo, and Sara Franca. He went to school like any other child, but his education ended after high school.
Anderson developed a love for basketball at a young age and started playing early. His skill and commitment on the court showed that he wanted to become a professional basketball player.
Professional Career
Franca (1998–2002): Varejão played for Franca Basquetebol Clube from 1998 to 2002 in São Paulo. In the 2001-02 season, he had good stats, averaging 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Then, he joined FC Barcelona Bàsquet in January 2002.
Barcelona (2002–2004): At Barcelona, Varejão played nine EuroLeague games, averaging 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. In the Liga ACB, he had stats like 4.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Barcelona won the Liga ACB championship in 2003, and Varejão played a role in their first EuroLeague championship.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2004–2016):
2004–06: Early Years: Varejão was drafted by the Orlando Magic but traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004. In his rookie season, he played 54 games, averaging 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He had some notable games, including a 14-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks and a 14-rebound game against the Utah Jazz. Varejão excelled in stealing the ball and grabbing offensive rebounds.
2006–08: playoff upsets: In the 2006-07 season, Varejão played more minutes and became a defensive force. He took 99 charges, had a high-scoring game against the New Orleans Hornets with 17 points, and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds against the Utah Jazz. In the playoffs, he helped the Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals but lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
2008–13
All-Defensive honors and injury-plagued season: Varejão continued to excel defensively, earning All-Defensive honors. He signed a six-year contract in 2009. Despite some injuries, he maintained solid averages in points and rebounds. However, he missed significant parts of the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons due to injuries, including a broken wrist. In the 2012-13 season, he had an almost triple-double game with nine points, nine assists, and a career-high 23 rebounds. Unfortunately, he was later sidelined by a blood clot in his lung.
That’s a simplified summary of Varejão’s career, focusing on his time in Franca, Barcelona, and the early years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
From 2013 to 2016, Varejão played for the Cavaliers. In 2013–14, he started 29 games but lost his spot to Andrew Bynum, who was later traded, and Spencer Hawes. Varejão had back soreness and came off the bench for the rest of the season, averaging 8.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 65 games.
In 2014, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Cavaliers but tore his Achilles in December, missing the season. The Cavaliers reached the 2015 NBA Finals but lost.
Varejão returned in 2015 but was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016 and waived. He then joined the Golden State Warriors, played limited minutes, and reached the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cavaliers. He declined a championship ring from Cleveland.
In 2016, he re-signed with the Warriors but was waived in 2017. The Warriors won the NBA championship, and he accepted a championship ring.
In 2018, Varejão joined Flamengo and played for two seasons. In 2021, he briefly returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers on two 10-day contracts before retiring.
Varejão played for the Brazilian national team won gold in 2003 and competed in several world cups.
He was nicknamed “Wild Thing” for his energetic style of play but was criticized for flopping on the court. LeBron James defended him, saying he took physical charges.
Personal Life
Varejão’s older brother, Sandro, also played pro basketball. His niece, Izabel, was on the University of Michigan’s college basketball team.
Wives and kids
Anderson Varejão married twice. Marcelle Silva was his first wife, and they wed on September 7, 2013, at St. Francis of Paola in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They dated for nearly three years before becoming partners.
Their marriage ended in 2016 after three years, and neither side has provided a reason for their split.
After waiting three years, Varejão married again in 2019, this time to Stacey Bradley. They had known each other since 2002, but nothing happened between them until seven years later. Stacy gave birth to their daughter, Serene, in 2020.
Net Worth
Various online sources estimate that Anderson Varejão has a net worth of $40 million. He made most of his money from his well-paying NBA contracts and endorsement deals. Varejão’s hard work and good performance in the league helped him become financially successful.
FAQs
Where is Anderson Varejão from?
Anderson hails from Brazil.
What teams have Anderson Varejão played for?
Anderson Varejão has played for various NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.
When did Anderson Varejão start playing in the NBA?
Anderson began his NBA career in 2004.
Has Anderson Varejão won any championships?
Yes, Anderson Varejão won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2017.