- Didi Louzada, born and raised in Brazil is currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers after the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to the club in 2022
- The small forward’s older brother Jao Pedro Louzada stopped playing basketball in 2009 after an allergic reaction nearly killed him
- Louzada tattooed his grandmother’s name Maria on his arm as a remembrance for helping his mother raise him when his father left them
Didi Louzada; 26, born and raised in Brazil plays in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers, after he was drafted in the 2019 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
Playing as a small forward, the Brazilian pro basketballer played in his country’s junior and senior national teams, representing them in several international tournaments, including FIBA South America Under-15 Championship, the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship, and the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualification.
The Brazilian basketball player is currently in a relationship with Sydney lawyer Monique Tavares. He got engaged to her in November 2021.
Early Life And Career Background Of Didi Louzada
Didi Louzada was born Marcos Henrique Louzada Silva on July 2nd, 1999 in Cachoeiro de Itapermirim, Espirito Santo, Brizil. The 26-year-old is the youngest of two children (sons) born to his mother Rosane Assunta Louzada and his father. His older brother Jao Pedro Louzada was born three years earlier in 1996.
His parents reportedly got divorced when he was young. So, he was raised by his mother and grandmother Maria who unfortunately passed away in 2019.
His Basketball Dream Began Quite Early
Didi Louzada developed an interest in basketball from an early age. He started playing at seven after his older brother Jao Pedro convinced him. At the time, he played for his school team and Liga Urbana Social de Basquete (LUSB).
Subsequently, Louzada went on to play for Franca and in the first-tier under-22 league (Liga de Desenvolvimento de Basquete). He was among 40 players invited to the NBA Americas Team Camp in Mexico in 2016. Over the next two years, the small forward played in a couple of competitions such as the FIBA Americas League, and the Nike Hoop Summit.
In April 2019, he declared interest to join the NBA and was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft in June 2019. He was thereafter traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
A month later, Louzada joined the Sydney Kings, an NBL club in Australia. His move was possible by a program designed to draw NBA draftees to the NBL. He played for two seasons before signing with New Orleans Pelicans in April 2021.
While playing for the Pelicans, he was handed a 25-game suspension for violating NBA’s anti-drug policy in November 2021. He injured his left knee two months later while playing for the Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliated side Birmingham Squadron.
The Portland Trail Blazers bought the Brazilian small forward and three others in a trade exchange in February 2022.
Louzada Represented Brazil At The Youth And National Team Levels
Didi Louzada enjoyed the privilege of wearing his country’s color on the court. He represented Brazil in both junior and national teams.
He was part of the Brazil under-15 and under-16 teams that represented the country at the FIBA South America Under-15 Championship, and the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Venezuela and Argentina, respectively.
Subsequently, he made his first senior national team appearance in September 2018 during the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualification. He was instrumental in Brazil’s qualification for the tournament.
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5 Exciting Facts About Didi Louzada
1. His Older Brother Almost Died Of An Allergic Reaction In 2009
Didi Louzada’s older brother Joa Pedro Louzada was an active basketball player until he suffered an allergic reaction that almost took his life in 2009. The reaction was due to a vaccine he took after seeing a doctor.
As a result, his brother spent three years in the hospital, lost 35kg, and was unable to get out of bed without their mother’s help. More so, after recovery, his brother was confined to a wheelchair for two years.
2. He Tattooed His Grandmother’s Name And The Number 7 On His Body
The body of the former New Orleans Pelicans player is partly covered in tattoos, and the most important ones are about his brother and grandmother.
On his torso is the number seven. It used to be the number his brother played in until the sad events of 2009. While his grandmother’s name is Maria and others such as lions and tigers are inked on his arms.
3. Is Louzada Married?
Didi Louzada is not married, but he is in a relationship with an Australian Monique Tavares. She is a law graduate from Western Sydney University and works as a dispute litigator for ABC.
According to reports, the Brazilian basketballer started dating in the first quarter of 2021 after reaching out to her via Instagram. He proposed to her in November 2021.
Speaking about how the relationship came to be, Tavares said their love has nothing to basketball, it was for other reasons.
4. He Earns Considerably From Basketball And Endorsements
Louzada is earning pretty decently from his basketball career, and also from endorsement deals. Even though his net worth is yet to be put together at the time of this writing, his annual salary is $1.9 million. He was earning the sum due to his $7.6 million 4-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in August 2021, but he has traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022.
Moving forward, the small forward also earns from his endorsement deals with a couple of brands, including Nike.
On the other hand, Louzada lost about $400,000 in November 2021 after he was suspended for 25 games for violating NBA’s anti-drug program.
5. The Small Forward Is 6 Feet 5 Inches (196cm/1.96m) Tall
The Cachoeiro de Itapermirim native stands at a height of 6 feet 5 inches (196cm/1.96m) tall. He is taller than an average Brazilian male who is 5 feet 8 inches (172cm/1.72m) tall. Bringing him to the court and the position of play (small forward), Louzada’s height is idle for small forwards in the NBA. According to dunkothree.com, the average height of a small forward is between 6 feet 5 inches (196cm/1.96m) and 6 feet 10 inches (208cm/2.08m).
Additionally, his body weight is 85kg (188lbs).
Didi Louzada’s basketball career sees him playing in Brazil, Australia, and the USA. Since his NBA Draft in 2019, the small forward has not played for a team for more than two years, despite the length of his contract. Would this trend continue? There is a possibility it would stop, and he would have an impact like other young athletes who have accomplished great feats.
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