Amanda Knapp
Nenê (born Maybyner Rodney Hilário) is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. He changed his name from Nenê Hilário to simply Nenê in 2003. Nenê's height is not publicly known, but he has a 7'4 3/4 wingspan. He played for the Denver Nuggets for many years, and later for the Washington Wizards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maybyner Rodney Hilário |
| Nickname | Nenê |
| Profession | Brazilian former professional basketball player |
| Date of Birth | September 13, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | São Carlos, Brazil |
| Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Spouse | Briley Sheppard Hilario |
| Ex-Spouse | Lauren Prothe |
| Children | 3 sons |
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What You'll Learn
Nenê's height and wingspan
Nenê, born Maybyner Rodney Hilário, is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. He changed his name legally to Nenê in 2003, a nickname he received for being the youngest in his family and friend group.
Nenê is 6 feet and 11 inches tall (211 cm). In basketball, a player's wingspan is measured from fingertip to fingertip. Nenê's wingspan is not publicly available, but considering his height, it would likely be close to his height.
Nenê started his basketball journey in the mid-1990s at Escola de Basquete Meneghelli in his hometown of São Carlos, Brazil. He played professionally for Vasco da Gama from 1999 to 2002 and joined the Brazilian national team in 2001, participating in the Goodwill Games. His success in Brazil earned him an NBA pre-draft camp invitation in Chicago in 2002.
Nenê was selected by the New York Knicks as the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft and was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets. He played for the Nuggets until 2012, when he was traded to the Washington Wizards. Nenê had a successful career, playing for various teams and starting in many games. In 2009-2010, he played and started all 82 games, averaging 13.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Nenê faced some challenges with injuries and health issues during his career, including a bout with testicular cancer in 2008. However, he persevered and had a career-best year in 2008-2009, appearing in 77 games and averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
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His career in basketball
Nenê (formerly known as Maybyner Rodney Hilário) is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. He played as a center and power forward, shooting right-handed. Standing at 6'11" (211 cm), he was drafted by the New York Knicks with the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he spent the majority of his career.
Nenê's career in the NBA spanned 17 years, during which he played for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and Houston Rockets. He made his NBA debut on October 30, 2002, and had a successful career, known for his strong presence on the court. Nenê was a key player for the Denver Nuggets, especially during the 2008-09 season, when he had a career-best year. That season, he appeared in 77 games, starting 76, and averaged career-highs of 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.31 blocks, along with 1.23 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. He finished fifth in voting for the 2008-09 NBA Most Improved Player award.
The following season, Nenê played and started in all 82 games for the Nuggets, averaging 13.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and a career-high 2.5 assists. In 2011, he re-signed with the Nuggets to a five-year, $67 million contract. However, later that season, on March 15, 2012, Nenê was traded to the Washington Wizards. During the 2011-12 season, he averaged 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in 39 total games with Washington and Denver.
Nenê continued to be a valuable contributor for the Wizards, averaging over 12 points and 6 rebounds per game during his time with the team. However, he also dealt with various injuries that impacted his playing time. In 2014-15, he appeared in 67 games, the most he had played in five years, but was often in a supporting role. On March 14, 2016, he scored a season-high 20 points off the bench in a blowout win over the Detroit Pistons.
In 2016, Nenê signed with the Houston Rockets, marking his departure from the Wizards. He made his debut for the Rockets in their 2016 season opener, scoring seven points. The following year, on April 23, 2017, he scored a playoff career-high 28 points in a perfect shooting performance to help the Rockets in their first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he suffered a left adductor tear in the next round, ruling him out for the remainder of the postseason. Nenê re-signed with the Rockets on July 6, 2017, and continued to contribute, scoring a season-high 16 points in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on December 16, 2017.
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His fight with cancer
Nenê is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. On January 11, 2008, he took an indefinite leave of absence from the Denver Nuggets to address a personal medical issue. At the time, it was not disclosed that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Three days later, on January 14, he had surgery to remove a malignant testicular tumor and his right testicle.
Nene missed 37 games between January 11 and March 24, 2008, due to his battle with testicular cancer. A right groin strain also forced him to miss the final six games of the season. Despite this, he returned to the court on March 27, 2008, in the Nuggets' 118–105 home win over the Dallas Mavericks. He entered the game with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter and received a standing ovation.
In the years following his cancer scare, Nene, a Christian, said that God had used cancer to test him and prepare him for helping others. He intends to devote his post-retirement years to church activities in Brazil.
Nene's return to basketball after his cancer treatment was marked by a strong performance in the 2008–09 season. He appeared in 77 games, starting 76 of them, and achieved career-highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals per game. This outstanding season placed him fifth in voting for the 2008–09 NBA Most Improved Player award.
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His career-best year
Nene, the Brazilian basketball player, stands at a height of 6 feet and 11 inches (2.11 meters). He played in the NBA for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat, across a 15-year career. The 2011-2012 season with the Nuggets was arguably his career-best year.
During that season, Nene was a dominant force in the paint and established himself as one of the league's best big men. He started in 55 of his 61 appearances and averaged 30 minutes of playing time. Nene's performance that year was exceptional, as he posted career-high numbers in several categories. He averaged a near double-double with 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, providing a consistent and reliable presence in the low post for the Nuggets.
Beyond the stats, Nene's impact was felt in his efficient shooting and physical presence. He shot an impressive 51.4% from the field, showcasing his ability to finish efficiently around the rim. Nene's physicality and strength were key to his success, allowing him to outmuscle opponents for rebounds and establish strong positioning in the post. His defensive contributions were also notable, as he averaged 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals per game, providing a solid backbone to the Nuggets' defense.
That season, the Nuggets finished with a strong 38-28 record, securing the sixth seed in the highly competitive Western Conference. While they lost in the first round of the playoffs, Nene's performance throughout the regular season was pivotal in helping the team reach the postseason. His ability to anchor the paint, provide consistent scoring, and rebound effectively made him a key piece of the Nuggets' success that year.
Nene's performance during the 2011-2012 season earned him recognition, and he was rewarded with a lucrative multi-year contract extension. His impact extended beyond the stats, as his physicality, efficiency, and consistency made him a vital part of the Nuggets' lineup. That season, Nene established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise and solidified his place as one of the league's most formidable big men.
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His plans after retiring from basketball
Nenê (born Maybyner Rodney Hilário) is a Brazilian former professional basketball player. He was the first Brazilian player to stick around in the NBA for more than a year. Nenê played for the Denver Nuggets, Wizards, and Houston Rockets. He also played for the Brazilian national team and participated in the Goodwill Games.
Nenê has had a long history of injuries and ailments, including a malignant testicular tumor, a torn ACL in his right knee, a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, a right groin strain, a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, a right hip contusion, and a strained left hamstring. Despite these setbacks, he had a career-best year in 2008-09, appearing in 77 games and averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
Upon retiring from basketball, Nenê plans to become involved with church activities in Brazil. He is a Christian and has stated that God used cancer to test him and prepare him for helping others.
In an interview with NBA Freestyle, Nenê said that he intended to retire at the end of the NBA season. He had previously vowed to retire by the 2016 Olympics. Nenê's lasting legacy may be the "Nene test," a term used to assess a player's contract trade value.
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