Hilario, 19, was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He was acquired by the Nuggets on draft night along with Mark Jackson and Marcus Camby in exchange for Antonio McDyess and the draft rights to Frank Williams.
The native of Brazil averaged 13.2 ppg and 10.1 rpg for Vasco da Gama in his home country last season. He also played in the 2001 Goodwill Games in Australia and helped lead Brazil to a bronze medal. In a 106-98 overtime loss to the gold medal winning USA Basketball Team, Hilario collected eight points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots in just 18 minutes.