Flamengo plays this Friday (06) in Spain in the basketball pre-season

Flamengo is known for its high investment not only in football, but also in Olympic sports. In this sense, another player has been confirmed in the red-black squad . Center Ruan Miranda renewed his contract with FlaBasquete and will continue wearing the Sacred Mantle in the 2025/26 season.

Ruan Miranda on renewal: "Wearing this shirt means a lot to me"

BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY

A product of the club's youth system, the player was champion of the Super 8 Cup and the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA) last season, and is now preparing to represent the Mais Querido in yet another round. And the first challenge will be the Intercontinental Cup, which will take place in Singapore in September.

Born in Maranhão, Ruan joined Flamengo in 2017 to join the youth teams, winning the state championship. He was soon promoted to the professional team and won two NBBs, two Super 8s and one BCLA. After some time away, he returned to Orgulho da Nação for the 2024/25 season, and played an important role in the team's two victories.

WITH THE WORD...

"I am very happy to renew my contract with Flamengo , a club that has welcomed me since day one. Wearing this jersey means a lot to me. I will give my all and show ambition in every training session and every game. My expectations for the season are the best possible. I want to evolve even more as an athlete and help the team win many titles. I want the triple crown this season (Super 8, BCLA, NBB) to make the Red-Black Nation proud. Let's go all out!" , said Ruan.

Standing 2.07m tall and 23 years old, the pivot is yet another example of Flamengo's investment in developing and developing young talent. Ruan's renewal reinforces the club's commitment to keeping athletes who identify with the red-and-black project, who are looking for even greater heights next season.

Flamengo will continue to count on the leadership of Sergio “Oveja” Hernandez as head coach of the basketball team. The experienced Argentine coach renewed his contract with the club for the 2025/26 season, after having been a key player in winning the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA), in his first stint with the team.

Hernandez, who built a successful career leading the Argentine national team and traditional clubs in South America, quickly gained the trust of the team and the red-black fans. Under his leadership, the Mais Querido won the continental championship three times , reinforcing its position as one of the biggest powers in South American basketball.

FLABASQUETE WILL COMPETE IN INTERCLUB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The continuity of Oveja Hernandez comes at a strategic moment, as Mengão has one of the most important commitments of the season ahead: the FIBA Intercontinental Basketball Cup. The tournament will be played in Singapore, and is scheduled to take place between mid and late September 2025. Confirmation of the official dates still depends on the definition of the world's highest basketball entity.

Flamengo secured a spot in the tournament after winning the 2024-25 edition of the BCLA , once again ensuring its presence among the best clubs in the world. The Rio de Janeiro team will be looking for its third title in the intercontinental competition, in a scenario that could further crown the work of the Argentine coach.

CONTRACT RENEWAL REINFORCES COMMITMENT

With the renewal of Sergio Hernandez , the club reaffirms its commitment to a solid and high-performance sports project . The coach's retention aims to consolidate an even more competitive team, prepared for the national and international challenges that lie ahead.

Flamengo is beginning to chart a new course for its basketball team. Amidst the restructuring, the club has begun a process of rejuvenation, making room for players with more stamina and international experience. So far, important departures such as that of American Jordan Williams and the trio formed by Franco Balbi, Tayavek Gallizzi and Shaquille Johnson have already been confirmed or are in the final stages of definition.

According to information from the Garrafão Rubro-Negro portal, which specializes in covering the Mais Querido on the courts , the board is already looking to replace Shaq Johnson: Daniel Onwenu, a point guard who played for Corinthians and has recent experience outside Brazil. Negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage.

DANIEL ONWENU IS THE MAIN TARGET

Daniel Onwenu, 22, emerged on the national scene during the 2020/21 season playing for Paulistano. After two seasons with the São Paulo club, the player transferred to Corinthians, where he played 33 games in his first year, averaging 5.4 points , one assist and 1.9 rebounds per game. The following year, his numbers improved: 7.6 points, 0.9 assists and four rebounds per game, in 38 matches.

In the most recent season, the athlete had his first international experience playing for Mexico City Capitanes . With this experience, the expectation is that Onwenu can return to Brazil more mature, ready to face the challenges of Mengão, especially due to the familiarity with the pressure of large crowds, acquired during his time at Corinthians — even though the Nação Rubro-Negra is considered unique in its intensity.

FLABASQUETE IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THE ARGENTINE

Another name that has emerged as a target for Flamengo 's board is Argentine Franco Baralle, currently at Minas. With Balbi's imminent departure, Baralle should take over the rotation in the midfield alongside Alexey , another standout player in the current squad. The arrival of the two players fits into the project of coach Sergio Hernández, Oveja, who is looking to give the team a new look without giving up on competitiveness.