Atlanta Dream center Erika de Souza left the team after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to try and help Brazil capture a spot in the 2012 London Olympics at the FIBA Americas Championship for Women. Brazil completed their goal on Saturday destroying Argentina 74-33 in the finals and successfully earned that Olympics spot.
De Souza isn't expected to join her Atlanta teammates for Game 1, but is expected to be ready to take the floor in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Brazil went 6-0 in the tournament while de Souza led the team in scoring (16.2 ppg) and rebounding (8 rpg) during the tournament. She finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds during the championship game against Argentina.
One thing that Marynell Meadors and the Atlanta coaching staff may want to keep an eye on in regards to de Souza is fatigue. Brazil's schedule in the FIBA Americas tournament encompassed six games between Sept 24 and Oct 1 which combined with some pretty intense travel arrangements could have de Souza rather exhausted by the time she returns to the team.
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