Leandro Barbosa didn’t have much outside of high hopes and hoop dreams growing up in Brazil. The then 21-year-old had it all become a reality when he was drafted in 2003 by the San Antonio Spurs and traded to the Phoenix Suns on Draft Day. A late first round-pick, Barbosa was so thrilled to be playing professional basketball at the highest level in the world that he slept in the Suns locker room after he was drafted.
Despite speaking limited English and not having the highest of confidence, Barbosa was able to have a solid rookie season. Under run and gun coach Mike D’Antoni, Barbosa played in 70 games, averaging 21.