FLAMENGO BEATS BAURU AWAY FROM HOME AND GETS CLOSE TO CLASSIFICATION BY NBB

Olivinha retired from the basketball court after Flamengo's season in the competition ended. Idol of the Most Beloved and an example for all those who practice the sport, the star received several tributes, including from Franco Balbi.

Through his social networks, Balbi decided to pay tribute to Olivinha. In an emotional text, the Mais Querido shipowner told the behind-the-scenes of some moments he shared with his idol and showed a lot of gratitude to his companion.

“Olivia, the time has come to dedicate a few words to you. First of all, huge CONGRATULATIONS on your career, many years, a lot of work and a lot of dedication to leave your name marked in the history of Brazilian Basketball! You will always be recognized as the greatest player in the history of Flamengo basketball, countless achievements will have your name engraved, but the greatest trophy of all is the affection of everyone who was part of your journey. It will be difficult to arrive at the next pre-season and not see you in the locker room arriving with a smile, or sometimes even 'sleeping' and ordering coffee (laughs). But, always with the disposition and energy necessary to infect and motivate us. Our task, now, will be to continue with his legacy, to be FLAMENGO on the court and represent the Nation as it deserves.

New challenges will be coming and I hope they are carried out with great success, my partner! Now yes. THANK YOU for everything since my arrival here at Flamengo. THANK YOU for letting me be myself within the team and within the club. THANK YOU for teaching me what it's like to play for Flamengo and how to represent a nation. THANK YOU for your patience and for understanding me when I charged you on the court. THANK YOU for opening the doors of your home to us and letting us see your family nearby. THANK YOU for your ongoing partnership. For all this and much more, THANK YOU SO MUCH. We will continue our friendship off the court”, published Balbi.

Olivinha became a multi-time champion with the Manto Sagrado. That's because the "god of the race" won 20 titles with Mengo. Among the main achievements are: two Intercontinental Cups (2014 and 2022), one Champions League of the Americas (2020/21), one League of the Americas (2014) and six NBBs (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015 /16, 2018/19 and 2020/21).

Didi Louzada, Flamengo winger, will play in the next season of the G League, the NBA's development league. The young man was selected by the Valley Suns, Phoenix Suns' team in the competition, in the expansion draft. In total, the team called 14 names to make up the cast. The information is from the “Jumper Brasil” portal.

This way, the player must return to the competition. In 2023, he played for the Cleveland Charge, where he averaged 9.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in eight games. It was precisely the short minutes that made him decide to return to Flamengo.

For the Rio team, he assumed the status of one of the most important players for coach Gustavo Conti. Louzada participated in the team that finished runners-up in the NBB (Novo Basquete Brasil) and the BCLA Champions League of the Americas.

Now, Didi Louzada has a new opportunity to play in North American basketball and everything depends solely on her. This is because the player has the condition to accept or not to go to the Suns. It is worth noting that the contract with Fla remains in force. At the moment, the winger is with the Brazilian team, where he will compete in the Pre-Olympics in Riga, in July.

Coach Aleksandar Petrovic's team will play friendlies on the 24th, against Poland, on the 26th. , against Slovenia and, finally, on the 28th, against Croatia. The competition starts on July 2nd and Brazil will have Cameroon and Montenegro in the group stage. It is worth remembering that only the champion guarantees a place at the Paris Games.

Flamengo idol, Olivinha ended the match career as a basketball player, but the end of his career defending the Sacred Mantle may not mean the last chapter of his history within the club. This is because the former athlete revealed that he has proposals on the table for a new role at Mengão, and conversations are ongoing.

“We are talking, I have some things on my table. Logically, I stopped playing last week, there is a lot to be resolved. Right now, I really want to enjoy my family and that's what I'm doing. I'm going to take at least a month to be with my family and resolve everything I need to resolve. Yes, I have a conversation with Flamengo on the table, and we’ll see if it works”, he revealed.

Olivinha’s statement was made last Tuesday (18), during the Flamengo awards party. Best of the Year of New Basketball Brazil. It is worth noting that, unfortunately, the former Mengão winger ended his career with runner-up, as Fla was defeated by Franca in the NBB decision.

And speaking of Olivinha and NBB , the Flamengo idol was honored by the competition and, from now on, has an award named after him: the Olivinha Trophy. The award will go to the best rebounder in Novo Basquete Brasil.

Olivinha ended his third spell at Flamengo, a career that lasted 12 years uninterrupted. At Rubro-Negro since 2012, he was a protagonist in all the hegemony that Flabasquete created in Brazilian sport. In total, considering his first two appearances with the Sacred Mantle, he won more than 20 titles.

The former wing-pivot experienced the ups and downs of the sport, went through all phases of Basketball, and reaped the fruits of hard work. Olivinha's figure is so emblematic that the athlete received the affectionate nickname 'Deus da Raça', as he represents the fan on the court.

And speaking of fans, Olivinha was not a Flamengo fan. , but saw the club become, as he himself says, “his religion” over the years. The former athlete allowed himself to love and be loved, understood the magnitude of Mengo and, today, defines himself as a “red-black fanatic”.