He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the sixth round of the 1984 NBA Draft, and had several other opportunities to play in the NBA, but declined them all in order to continue to play for Brazil's senior national team (until 1989, NBA players were not allowed to play for national teams).
Izabran je od strane New Jersey Netsa u šestom kolu NBA Draft 1984., imao je još nekoliko prilika igrati u NBA ligi, ali ih je sve odbio kako bi održali svoj ​​"amaterski" status i nastavio igrati u brazilskoj reprezentaciji (do 1989., NBA igrači nisu smjeli igrati za reprezentaciju).