Rampaging through the group stage in Lille, Team USA is ready to play their first knockout game of the Paris Olympics. Next opponents? Brazil. Brazil ensured their place in the tournament’s quarter-final by emerging victorious in one of their three group-stage matches. One major reason for their success is partly due to the performances of 25-year-old point guard Yago Dos Santos who even outscored two-time Champion Jrue Holiday in the first three games.

Some might even know him as an upcoming star on the international circuit. But who is Yago and how can he be a threat to Team USA in the quarter-final? Let’s dive in.

Yago Dos Santos’ basketball journey from NBA snub to MVP

Yago, born on March 9, 1999, in Sao Paulo, comes from a family with strong ties to a soccer-obsessed nation. Unlike most of his peers, he took an early interest in basketball and began his hoop journey with Palmeiras’ junior team. Impressed by his talent, Paulistano, a competitor in Novo Basquete Brasil, signed Yago in 2016.

Hoping to make it big, he entered his name in the NBA draft three years later but failed to make it to the league. Disappointed with the outcome, Yago continued his journey with Paulistano until Clube de Regatas signed him do Flamengo in 2020.

After spending a season on his new team, Yago’s life-changing decision to move to Germany and join Bundesliga’s Ratiopharm Ulm on a one-year deal kick-started his career. Taking over in his first season outside his home country, he averaged 12.7 points and over six assists while leading the team to a championship. He became the first Brazilian player in league history to win Finals MVP.

Yago Dos Santos Road to EuroLeague

Upon making history in Germany, Yago became one of the hottest players in the international market. Sure enough, he got another chance to make it to the NBA as he played 4 Summer League games for the Chicago Bulls last season. Despite averaging 8.25 points, Yago failed to impress NBA scouts yet again. But that didn’t stop his international momentum as he made another giant leap after the Championship win and joined Serbia’s Crvena Zvezda last year.

As expected, he continued his dominance and averaged 10.4 points and over four assists in the ABA along with 8.7 points in the EuroLeague for the team last season. More importantly, he led the team to the ABA title and was named the Finals MVP once again after averaging 12.3 points and nearly five assists in the deciding series.

Should Team USA be worried?

While Santos has been doing wonders in multiple leagues worldwide, he hopes to achieve similar success wearing the Brazilian colors. His talent first came to the forefront during last year’s FIBA World Cup where he averaged a dominant 17.3 points in three games for his home country. And what was highly impressive was his 57.1% three-point shooting to reach that mark. Moreover, Yago had a similar impact in the Paris Olympics as he had another extraordinary performance against Germany with 18 points on seven of ten shooting.

Although Brazil lost two group stage games, Dos Santos impressed every time he stepped on the floor with his shooting and playmaking ability. On top of that, he has scored 27 points in the tournament, seven more than Jrue Holiday’s 20, which makes him a threat to the American squad. And Team USA, doesn’t matter how big a favorite they are to win, cannot afford to take Brazil lightly. Because if Santos catches fire, there might be no stopping the multi-time MVP. Do you agree?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger