Rio de Janeiro, Oct 10 (IANS) Cleveland Cavaliers centre Anderson Varejao has described his return to Brazil as "special" for Saturday's NBA pre-season clash against the Miami Heat.
The 32-year-old said the clash at the HSBC Arena here will be different to most pre-season fixtures, reports Xinhua.
"To be here now is special. I left Brazil when I was 19 and I didn't have the chance to play a lot here so a chance I get now is special," Varejao said.
Varejao's return to his roots is not the only fascinating subplot to the fixture.
The other is the appearance of his new teammate LeBron James, who will face the Heat just three months after leaving the NBA franchise.
Varejao, preparing for his 11th season with the Cavaliers, praised the impact made by James since the 29-year-old's return.
"I was surprised but happy when I found it that he was returning," Varejao said. "The team is different with him in it."