Flabasquete: Flamengo debuts in the NBB with a classic against Vasco

Flamengo continues its preparations for the official basketball season , which promises an intense calendar. Before heading to Spain, where it will carry out pre-season training and, subsequently, compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup , the red-black squad received the affection of the Nation this Saturday (06).

The Hélio Maurício Gymnasium was packed with fans watching the morning's activities . After practice, the players welcomed the crowd with photos and autographs, strengthening their connection with the fans before the trip to the European continent.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION OF FLAMENGO?

Flamengo will travel to Europe next Monday (08) and will begin training the following day. The first friendly will be on Wednesday (10), against San Pablo Burgos (ESP). Two days later, on Friday (12), the team will face San Sebastián (ESP).

Next, the red-and-black delegation travels to Singapore, where they will compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup , a tournament in which the club is seeking its third championship. The Mais Querido won the title in 2014, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv, and in 2022 , beating San Pablo Burgos.

WHAT WILL FLAMENGO'S SEASON BE LIKE?

After the Intercontinental Cup, Flamengo faces a marathon of competitions throughout the year . The calendar includes the New Basketball Brazil (NBB), the Champions League of the Americas, and the Super 8 Cup, cementing another high-level season for the Pride of the Nation.

Flamengo basketball said goodbye to two players this Wednesday (4). Jordan Williams and Matheus Leoni are no longer part of the red-black squad and had their departure confirmed through official social media. “ FlaBasquete says goodbye and thanks Jordan Williams and Matheus Leoni for their dedication and achievements with Regata Sagrada. Thanks, my dears! ”, the club posted.

Forward Jordan William has agreed to transfer to Minas Gerais, Flabasquete 's direct rival on the national stage. During his time with the Rio de Janeiro team, he averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game , making him one of the standout players on the roster.

MATHEUS LEONI LEAVES THE CLUB

Meanwhile, Matheus Leoni has yet to decide his future in Brazilian basketball. The point guard left FlaBasquete after his contract ended and has already said goodbye to his former teammates. As of now, there has been no agreement with another team.

FLABASQUETE PREMIERE

Even with the roster changes, the Rubro-Negro is already preparing for its debut in the New Basketball Brazil (NBB). The team takes the court on October 18th, against Bauru, at the Panela de Pressão Gymnasium in São Paulo.

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

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.