Knee injury puts Barbosa on Brazil's long list of absentees

Leandro Barbosa is out of the Brazil squad for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens after being told by doctors to rest his knee.

The Phoenix Suns guard injured his knee during the play-offs but was hoping to recover in time to play for Moncho Monsalve in Athens. However, the latest examinations have left medical experts with the firm belief that Barbosa should not play as the Brazilians go after one of three spots that are still available for the Beijing Games.

Brazil had already suffered the health-related withdrawals of Anderson Varej