He represented the senior Brazilian national basketball team at three Summer Olympics and four FIBA World Cup competitions.

[1] Leite, originally from Rio de Janeiro, began playing club basketball with the Brazilian team Fluminense (1967–1974).

[2] Pepperdine University's American head coach, Gary Colson, recruited Leite to the California school, based on his performance at the Olympics.

The Waves beat Memphis State, in the first round, before losing to defending national champion UCLA, in the Sweet 16.

Following the season, Leite informed Colson that he would forgo his final year of college eligibility, in order to play professionally.

[2] Leite first suited up with Brazil's senior national team at the age of 18, at the 1970 FIBA World Cup.