Updates on the FlaBasquete squad
By Paulo Neto - in O Clube de Regatas do Flamengo announces that center Ruan Miranda ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing for the Brazilian National Team, which is competing in the AmeriCup in Nicaragua. The athlete is under the care of the CBB medical department. The Club regrets the incident and wishes him a speedy recovery. Ruan joins Franco Baralle, who suffered an accident earlier this month, and Taya Gallizzi, who is recovering from an injury suffered during the last NBB match, among the squad members who will not travel to the Intercontinental Championship in Singapore.
Flamengo signs Eric Buckner and Guilherme Hubner for the Intercontinental Cup in Singapore
American center Eric Buckner is Flamengo's new signing for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore. With over a decade of experience in European and Asian basketball, Buckner is recognized for his physical presence in the paint and rim protection. A Georgia State high school athlete, he held the school's record for blocks and was named Georgia Men's College Player of the Year in 2012. Professionally, he has played for clubs in Turkey, France, Greece, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Lithuania, including stints with Monaco, Türk Telekom, Zenit, and Zalgiris Kaunas, winning the VTB United League title in 2022.
Flamengo also confirmed the signing of Brazilian center Guilherme Hubner, who also arrives on time for the World Cup. A native of Contagem, Hubner stands 2,10'500" tall and has played in the NBB since the inaugural season, recently surpassing the 2017-game mark for Unifacisa, his last team. He was MVP of the 18/11,8 NBB Finals for Paulistano, averaging 6,2 points and 2022 rebounds, in addition to stints with Minas Gerais, Limeira, and the Liga Sorocabana. In the 11,2 South American League, he averaged 6,4 points and XNUMX rebounds for Unifacisa, reinforcing his international experience.
Eric will wear the number 5 mantle, while Guilherme will wear the number 77.
Coach Sergio Hernández emphasized the importance of the new players for the competition: “Erick Buckner and Guilherme Hubner are here 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. We had the setback of Baralle and Ruan's injuries at the beginning of the season, but I thank Flamengo's board for providing full support to the players and promptly seeking replacements for the World Cup, which is just around the corner. We needed to act quickly, and we did. Now we begin preparations with the full squad for the 18th (Flamengo's debut in the competition), with twelve adults. Let's move forward,” he concluded.
Flamengo travels to Spain for friendly matches and then competes in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup with point guards Alexey Borges and Dee Bost; shooting guards Shaq Johnson, Alex Negrete and Daniel Onwenu; forwards Gui Deodato and Jhonatan Luz; power forwards Markeith Cummings and Kayo Gonçalves; and centers Wesley Castro, Eric Buckner and Guilherme Hubner.