Anderson Varejão presents himself to Flamengo
Wing/Pivot meets the club, gives his first interview and wears the Sacred Mantle number 17
By Lucas Dantas - Flamengo Communications - in
Anderson Varejão finally donned the Sacred Mantle. After a 22-hour flight, the power forward/center reported to Gávea, spoke to the press, took photos with fans, and donned the number 17 jersey he will wear during his time at Flamengo. The Brazilian basketball star will be introduced to the fans before the match against Botafogo, this Friday at 20 p.m., at Arena Carioca 1. His debut date has not yet been set, but the player is already available to coach José Neto to join the team.
In his first press conference with Flamengo, Varejão discussed a variety of topics, including the length of his contract, his excitement about playing for his favorite team, his NBA experience, playing alongside Marcelinho in his final season, and reuniting with friends from the Brazilian national team. Afterwards, the player toured the Flamengo Memory Club and learned more about the history of the club he will be representing.
President Eduardo Bandeira de Mello opened the press conference by speaking about his pride in having Anderson Varejão on the team.
"We're seeing the pride in introducing the new basketball player. Varejão needs no introduction. This story began when Alexandre Póvoa (Vice President of Olympic Sports) and Marcelo Vido (Director of Olympic Sports) told me there was a chance of bringing him to Flamengo. And now we've reached the end of this story. And may this be the beginning of his career here."
Next, Marcelo Vido took the floor and highlighted Varejão's confidence in the red-black project.
"I'd like to thank Anderson for his confidence in our work. I also want to thank president Eduardo Bandeira and vice president Alexandre Póvoa for their constant work to bring the player in. I'd also like to thank all areas of the club who came together for this project. I'm certain that Anderson's arrival will be very good for Brazilian sports."
Finally, the Vice President of Olympic Sports, Alexandre Póvoa also made some comments, and took the opportunity to inform that, contrary to what has been said, Varejão's contract, lasting 20 months, does not have a termination clause in the event of an offer from the NBA.
In his first words, the new owner of the number 17 shirt also thanked Flamengo and showed all his excitement to defend the club's colors as soon as possible, in front of the Nação Rubro-Negra.
"I'd like to thank Flamengo for their trust and affection. I'd like to say that I'm very motivated and eager to play. I can't wait to get on the court. As a Flamengo fan, I'm fulfilling a dream of playing for Flamengo. I can't measure how excited I am to play soon, to be part of the group, and to contribute. I'm not coming here to take anyone's place, but to contribute. Everything Flamengo has achieved over the years—this isn't Anderson Varejão, this is Flamengo, and Flamengo is bigger than everything," said the power forward/center, who promised to be the same Varejão he always was while playing for the Pride of the Nation.
"On the court, you'll see the same Anderson Varejão as always, with a lot of grit, a lot of determination, and no loose balls. I want to continue Flamengo's run of titles and maintain this wonderful, winning history. I can't wait to play; we'll see when that happens. I have a lot of respect for this club, for the board, for everything you've heard about how it is internally. These were the factors that led me to make my decision to be part of this family."
Watch the entire press conference through FlaTV's lens.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.
In his first press conference with Flamengo, Varejão discussed a variety of topics, including the length of his contract, his excitement about playing for his favorite team, his NBA experience, playing alongside Marcelinho in his final season, and reuniting with friends from the Brazilian national team. Afterwards, the player toured the Flamengo Memory Club and learned more about the history of the club he will be representing.
President Eduardo Bandeira de Mello opened the press conference by speaking about his pride in having Anderson Varejão on the team.
"We're seeing the pride in introducing the new basketball player. Varejão needs no introduction. This story began when Alexandre Póvoa (Vice President of Olympic Sports) and Marcelo Vido (Director of Olympic Sports) told me there was a chance of bringing him to Flamengo. And now we've reached the end of this story. And may this be the beginning of his career here."
Next, Marcelo Vido took the floor and highlighted Varejão's confidence in the red-black project.
"I'd like to thank Anderson for his confidence in our work. I also want to thank president Eduardo Bandeira and vice president Alexandre Póvoa for their constant work to bring the player in. I'd also like to thank all areas of the club who came together for this project. I'm certain that Anderson's arrival will be very good for Brazilian sports."
Finally, the Vice President of Olympic Sports, Alexandre Póvoa also made some comments, and took the opportunity to inform that, contrary to what has been said, Varejão's contract, lasting 20 months, does not have a termination clause in the event of an offer from the NBA.
In his first words, the new owner of the number 17 shirt also thanked Flamengo and showed all his excitement to defend the club's colors as soon as possible, in front of the Nação Rubro-Negra.
"I'd like to thank Flamengo for their trust and affection. I'd like to say that I'm very motivated and eager to play. I can't wait to get on the court. As a Flamengo fan, I'm fulfilling a dream of playing for Flamengo. I can't measure how excited I am to play soon, to be part of the group, and to contribute. I'm not coming here to take anyone's place, but to contribute. Everything Flamengo has achieved over the years—this isn't Anderson Varejão, this is Flamengo, and Flamengo is bigger than everything," said the power forward/center, who promised to be the same Varejão he always was while playing for the Pride of the Nation.
"On the court, you'll see the same Anderson Varejão as always, with a lot of grit, a lot of determination, and no loose balls. I want to continue Flamengo's run of titles and maintain this wonderful, winning history. I can't wait to play; we'll see when that happens. I have a lot of respect for this club, for the board, for everything you've heard about how it is internally. These were the factors that led me to make my decision to be part of this family."
Watch the entire press conference through FlaTV's lens.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources from the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.