NBB Brazil All-Star Game review

This year proved to be an historic one for the Brazilian All-Star game that is played each year between a team comprised of home-grown Brazilian National Brazil Basketball players and a team with foreign imports.

For the first time in the history of the annual celebration the game was decided in overtime after the game tied at the final buzzer. This year’s event took place at the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, and the 5,212 fans crammed inside the venue witnessed an unprecedented event. The high-scoring encounter finished 132-132 in normal time meaning that the game would go on to be decided in overtime.

Eventually NBB Brazil emerged victorious over NBB World by 146 to 144. The fans inside the venue were pleased to see Alex take home the prize of MVP, the player is a part of the Uniceub BRB Brasilia team that plays its games in the Nilson Nelson Gym. The player picked up a total of 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The NBB Brazil team maintained a solid game throughout the contest, hitting the foreign team on the counter-attack throughout. If not for high scoring contributions from American players on the NBB World team the game may not have reached overtime. American shooting guard Shamell Stallworth helped himself to a game high 37 points, while compatriot Robert Day netted 26 points.

The award of MVP was not an easy one to decide thanks to the scoring exploits of several players, including NBB Brazil players Olivinha who 25 points, and Rafael Mineiro with 23 points and 9 rebounds. American Steven Toyloy also put in a notable contribution by recording the games only double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

By half-time the NBB Brazil team had built a formidable lead of 78-62 but throughout the 3rd and 4th quarter NBB World chipped into that lead until the game tied at the buzzer 132-132. The two teams traded blows in overtime, while the Nilson Nelson Gym was an explosion of passion and excitement. With just 13 seconds on the clock Olivinha scored to put the NBB Brazil team in front. The otherwise excellent Stallworth had the chance to score before the buzzer but missed, and thus handed victory to the home team.