CHAMPIONS OF THE AMERICAS- FLABASQUETE

Flamengo basketball team confirmed the arrival of Eric Buckner and Guilherme Hubner to bolster the key for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, which will be played in Singapore from September 18th to 21st. The signings were made on a one-off basis, as the team deals with significant losses in its roster.

Negotiations became necessary after Ruan Miranda 's injury, which tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the AmeriCup, while playing for the Brazilian national team. Another absence is Taya Gallizzi, who has not yet recovered from the injury suffered in the last NBB CAIXA tournament . The team will also be without Franco Baralle, who underwent ankle surgery following an accident earlier this month.

ERIC BUCKNER ARRIVES WITH EXPERIENCE

At 35, Eric Buckner has built a solid career in European and Asian leagues. A former Georgia State player, he held the school's record for blocks and was named Georgia Men's College Player of the Year in 2012. As a professional, he played in Turkey, France, Greece, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Lithuania, most notably for Monaco, Türk Telekom, Zenit, and Zalgiris Kaunas. In 2022, he won the VTB United League title.

GUILHERME HUBNER IS A REFERENCE IN THE NBB

Guilherme Hubner, 38, is a well-known figure in Brazilian basketball, recently surpassing the 500-game mark in the NBB CAIXA. He was MVP of the 2017/18 Finals for Paulistano/CORPe, averaging 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds . He has also played for Unifacisa, KTO Minas, Limeira, and Liga Sorocabana. In 2022, he represented Unifacisa in the South American League, averaging 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.

COACH SERGIO HERNÁNDEZ HIGHLIGHTS REINFORCEMENTS

Coach Sergio Hernández emphasized the importance of the signings given the losses suffered: "Erick Buckner and Guilherme Hubner are coming to help us in Singapore. They are two very experienced pivots, accustomed to all types of competition, all types of situations. They will be very important," said the coach.

The Brazilian men's basketball team lifted the Americup trophy this Sunday (31), in Managua, Nicaragua. The team led by Croatian Aleksandar Petrovic defeated Argentina 55-47 and secured the fifth title in its history in the tournament. The achievement came a day after the thrilling victory against the United States in the semifinal.

The match started intensely, with both teams playing offensively. Brazil took a 7-3 lead and closed the first quarter with a 16-15 lead, fueled by Guilherme Deodato, who scored nine points . From the second quarter onward, former Flabasquete player Yago Santos and Bruno Caboclo took center stage. The point guard scored nine points before halftime, while the center contributed eight, giving Brazil a seven-point lead: 31-24.

ARGENTINA REACTS IN THE SECOND HALF

After the break, the national team had an 11-point lead, but struggled offensively and missed good opportunities to widen the gap. Argentina reduced the deficit to six points and ratcheted up the tension.

In the final quarter, more focused, Brazil regained control and achieved the biggest difference of the final, 12 points (48 x 36). Despite the Argentine pressure, Petrovic's team showed defensive solidity and confirmed the victory.

EX-FLAMENGO SHINES IN THE FINAL

Yago Santos, also known as 'Monstrinho' during his time at Flamengo , led the final with 14 points, while Bruno Caboclo had 11 points and seven rebounds. For Argentina, Francisco Caffaro stood out with 11 points.

Flabasquete confirmed that center Ruan Miranda ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a match with the Brazilian National Team in the AmeriCup , held in Nicaragua. The player is being monitored by the medical department of the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB).

The club issued a statement expressing regret for the incident and wishing the athlete a speedy recovery. Ruan joins Franco Baralle, who suffered an accident earlier this month, and Taya Gallizzi, recovering from an injury suffered in the last NBB tournament , among the confirmed absences for the international competition.

FLAMENGO CONFIRMS SIGNINGS

To fill the gaps, the club's management has signed two key reinforcements: American center Eric Buckner and Brazilian Guilherme Hubner. Both are arriving exclusively for the tournament in Singapore.

Buckner, 33, has extensive experience in European and Asian basketball, having played for clubs in Turkey, France, Greece, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Lithuania, including Monaco, Türk Telekom, Zenit, and Zalgiris Kaunas . Among his titles is the 2022 VTB United League. He will wear the number 5 jersey.

Hubner, who stands at 7 feet tall, has a long history in the NBB , where he recently surpassed the 500-game mark. The center was MVP of the 2017/18 NBB Finals for Paulistano and has played for Minas, Limeira, Liga Sorocabana, and Unifacisa, his last team . He will wear number 77 at the World Cup.

COACH SERGIO HERNÁNDEZ HIGHLIGHTS REINFORCEMENTS

Coach Sergio Hernández emphasized the importance of the signings given the losses suffered: "Erick Buckner and Guilherme Hubner are coming to help us in Singapore. They are two very experienced pivots, accustomed to all types of competition, all types of situations. They will be very important ," he said before concluding.

"We had the setback of Baralle and Ruan's injuries at the beginning of the season, but I thank the Flamengo board who gave all the support to the athletes and promptly sought replacements for the World Cup, which is already very close. We needed to act quickly and we did. Now the preparation begins with the full squad for the 18th (Flamengo's debut in the competition), with twelve adults. Let's move forward," he concluded.