Former Flamengo player shines as Brazil defeats Argentina to win the Americup basketball title

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.

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.

Flamengo confirmed this Tuesday (26) the signing of 35-year-old American point guard Dee Bost for the start of the 2025/26 season . The experienced player arrives to fill the vacancy of Franco Baralle, who is recovering from a serious injury after suffering an accident on the 19th.

At 1.88m and 84kg, Bost has extensive experience in European basketball and with the Bulgarian national team, a country he has represented since 2016. He has played for traditional clubs such as Galatasaray, Monaco, Zalgiris Kaunas and Khimki, winning major titles such as the 2021 EuroCup and the 2023 Coupe de France. His contract with the Rubro-Negro is for four months, with the possibility of renewal.

Baralle, who had just arrived at FlaBasquete, was hit by a car upon arriving at Gávea and required ankle surgery . The Argentine point guard is expected to return between December and January, opening up space for the arrival of Dee Bost.

BOST'S CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

A Mississippi State graduate, Dee Bost trained with the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers, but cemented his career on the international stage. He was named MVP of the 2016 Polish League finals and won the Leaders Cup in France . A naturalized Bulgarian, he became a key player on the national team.

At Flamengo , he will wear the number 3 shirt and already has important commitments : the European pre-season and the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, scheduled between September 18th and 21st — the club's main challenge at the start of the journey.

Dee Bost, FlaBasquete's new signing: "I'm very excited to arrive in Brazil"

FIRST WORDS AS A FLABASQUETE PLAYER

Excited about the new chapter of his career, Dee Bost sent a special message to the nation: "I'm very excited to arrive in Brazil. I've heard so many good things about Flamengo and the country , and I can't wait to play in front of these incredible fans. It's going to be a special experience."

The FlaBasquete squad will travel to Burgos, Spain, on September 7th, where they will begin preparing for the season with training sessions and friendlies against local teams, the same logistics used in the club's last official season.