Kanela also coached the senior Brazilian national basketball team. He led them to two gold medals at the FIBA World Cup, in 1959 (beating the USSR in the final game) and 1963 (beating the USA in the final game). He also led them to the following medals: silver medals at the 1954 FIBA World Cup and 1970 FIBA World Cup, a bronze medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics, a bronze medal at the 1967 FIBA World Cup, a silver medal at the 1963 Pan American Games, bronze medals at the 1951 Pan American Games and 1959 Pan American Games, and to five gold medals at the FIBA South American Championship (in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, and 1971).