It didn’t take long for Varejao’s infectious style of play to strike a chord with the city of Cleveland and make him an almost instant fan favorite. He established a reputation around the league for his abundant energy and unrelenting hustle. He fought hard for rebounds, set hard screens, played strong fundamental defense, and was never afraid to step into the lane to take a charge. He was obviously not the most skilled player in the NBA but his hustle and heart made him beloved by his fans. His signature floppy haired fro and his nickname “the Wild Thing” brought flair and charisma to a true competitor.

It wasn’t just in the NBA that Varejao was a fan favorite either. In his home country of Brazil, Anderson played for the national team all through his professional career earning a gold medal in the 2003 Pan-American games, a dominant player for the national team throughout his career. The “Wild Thing” and his hard work were a favorite wherever he went.

As Varejao’s minutes and role grew for the Cavaliers, so did his production. By 2007 the big man was averaging 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for a team who made it all the way to the NBA Finals. His stat sheet couldn’t show his superb play on defense, especially in pick-and-roll situations, but he was recognized for those efforts by being named to the All-NBA Second Team All Defense at the season’s conclusion. Varejao was performing on some of basketball’s highest stages and still brimming with potential. The future looked bright.

Over the next couple seasons, Andy looked to increase his offensive ability and efficiency. His team continued to compete for a championship on a yearly basis with LeBron James at the helm, and Varejao focused on continuing to improve. It was obvious that his hard work and effort didn’t stop when he was off camera. In 2009 his hard work paid off when he signed his first significant NBA contract for six years and $48 million. The team showed immense faith in his continued development and he came through in 2010, posting career highs in points, assists, and blocks per game along with both field goal and free throw percentages. His hard work was certainly paying off.