WITH FLAMENGO PLAYERS, BRAZIL FACES LUKA DONČIĆ'S SLOVENIA

The NBB 24/25 season has started and Flamengo welcomes Corinthians to Maracanãzinho this Thursday (24 ) to compete in the fourth round of the competition. Thus, Franco Balbi called on Nação Rubro-Negra to support the team.

The game will score the debut of Orgulho da Nação at Maracanãzinho and Franco Balbi took the opportunity to call on red and black fans to come out in force and support Mais Querido in another NBB match.

“Speak Nation, I'm here to call you, that Thursday is our debut here at home, at Maracanãzinho. And we hope to count on your support and fans, in this first game against Corinthians, 8pm at night. Come along, and let's go up”, said the Fla player in a video posted on Team Flamengo's social media.

FLAMENGO CORINTHIANS BY NBB

The last time Mais Querido faced Corinthians in the NBB was last season, in April 2024. On that occasion, Flamengo overpowered the São Paulo team by 88 to 58, in a clash that also took place at Maracanãzinho.

FOCUS ON THE NEXT GAME

So, with Franco Balbi, Mais Querido continues preparing for the clash against Corinthians. The game will be valid for the fourth round of the NBB, at 8pm, on Thursday (24), at Maracanãzinho.

Flamengo experienced a historic moment when facing the Phoenix Suns (USA) on October 8, 2014. To remember this remarkable date, the idols of the red-and-black club, Marcelinho Machado and Olivinha, visited the NBA Store, in São Paulo, to comment on the confrontation. On that occasion, Flamengo became the first Brazilian team to participate in a pre-season in the national league basketballfrom the United States.

“Until then, we had only seen European teams playing in the pre-season. Being able to play those games wearing a Flamengo shirt was not only an achievement, but also a dream come true. When I returned, in an interview I said that I would like all teams in the country to have the chance to live that experience. It was very rewarding. For a few days we experienced a feeling of belonging to the NBA universe”, highlighted Marcelinho.

“Playing against NBA teams was like a dream. A dream that we couldn't even imagine because it was something very distant. I had the opportunity to be in that game against the Suns and in a few more games against NBA teams. Every player should have the chance to live that experience. It's 10 years since a game that left a lasting impression on me and it's great to be here today remembering the importance of that match for our basketball”, recalled Olivinha.

THE GAME

Flamengoand Phoenix Suns faced each other in an NBA pre-season friendly . The North Americans' highlight was Isaiah Thomas, who scored 18 points. On the red and black side, Marcelinho Machado also had a good performance, scoring 16 points and standing out in the match.

Despite having started the game ahead, with a favorable first period of 26 to 21, Flamengo was unable to maintain the advantage. The Suns reacted and won the duel 100 to 88, at the US Airways Center, located in Arizona, United States.

Ruan Miranda will wear the Sacred Mantle again, Nation! The 23-year-old pivot, born in São Luís, Maranhão, is a Cria da Gávea, having played for Mais Querido between 2017 and 2021.

Wearing red and black, Ruan was part of the squads that won two NBBs, two Super 8s and a Champions League Americas at the turn of the last decade. In search of more opportunities, the young man left Flamengo at the age of 20, at the end of the 2021 season. In the following years, Ruan had spells at Cerrado and Paulistano, being elected MVP of the NBB's Young Development and Highlight League - in addition to participation in the Jogo das Estrelas and having been champion of the Global Jam with the Brazilian team.

Highlight this which earned the pivot a place in the NBA G-League, with Capitanes, in Mexico and - after the end of the preparatory competition for the biggest league in the world - with Venados de Mazatlan, in the Mexican League.

Back at Mais Querido, Ruan was very motivated.

“The feeling of returning to Flamengo is very euphoric, I am very happy to be back in the nest, as it is the place where I grew as a person and as a professional. I made great bonds of friendship, built a second family and this is very special for me. Now, with my return, I come back more experienced, with a great desire to add to the team in search of titles, I want to add and make this Nation proud! The fans can be sure that there will be no lack of energy, drive, commitment, for me that is what being Flamengo is all about!” said the pivot.

Ruan Miranda joins Franco Balbi, Alexey Borges, Shaq Johnson, Gui Deodato, Jordan Williams, Jhonatan Luz, Kayo Gonçalves, Lucas Siewert, Taya Gallizzi and Ítalo Honorato, as well as the boys Matheus Gueiros, Isaque Duarte and Yan Marun, as the names confirmed for the FlaBasquete squad on 24/25.