Meet Flamengo's pivots for the 2019 LDB competition
Matheus De Souza, Matheus Maciel, Rachel, César and Ruan defend the red-black paint
By Mariana Sa - inThe Brazilian Interclub Championship – Basketball Development League (LDB) is about to begin! Next Wednesday (24), at 13:30 pm, Flamengo begins the competition in the main youth competition in the country. Playing at Tijuca Tênis Clube, the Mais Querido is looking for its third championship and has a strong squad led by coach Rodrigo Leonardo 'Galego'.
Before the tournament begins, the Rubro-Negro's official website presents the players who will defend the Sacred Mantle this season. In this part of the series, you'll learn more about the team's wingers: Matheus De Souza, Matheus Maciel, Rachel, César, and Ruan.
Known as Macaé, Matheus de Souza Alves was born in 2001 and plays as a power forward. After starting his career with the local team, he joined Flamengo in 2015 and has been playing for Manto since the U-14s.
Center Matheus Maciel arrived to represent Manto at both the youth and professional levels. He was born in 2001 and has played for Barueri, Paulistano, and Unicaja in Spain. Maciel is 2,06'XNUMX" tall and is from São Paulo.
"Expectations are high because I'm so excited about participating in my first LDB. We've been training really well, even though we're just getting to know each other. I'm new to the team, and there are a few other kids who have just arrived, but we're not letting a possible lack of harmony get in the way of our daily routine. I have a lot of confidence in my team and I know we have a great chance of finishing this first phase well," said Maciel.
Rafael Rachel will be competing for Flamengo for the first time. He arrived at Gávea at the beginning of the year, recovering from an injury, and is ready for his first challenges. Born in 2003, the 2,03'XNUMX" power forward has played for Corinthians, Pinheiros, Baskonia (Spain), and Palmeiras.
"Expectations are very high. We've been training for this competition for a long time. We have a good squad, we're well prepared, and now we just have to stay focused in this final stretch. It's going to be great to play at home, and we can count on the support of the Red-Black Nation," said Rachel.
João César is 2,02m tall, is a power forward and is part of the 2002 generation. Born in Colider (MT), the boy played for Clube Associação Sorriso de Basquetebol, in Sorriso (MT), and arrived at Fla in April 2018.
Ruan Miranda is already a familiar face to FlaBasquete fans. Part of the adult squad that won the State, Super 8, and NBB 11 championships, the 2,05'2001" power forward will also be in the LDB. A native of São Luís, Maranhão, the youngster was born in XNUMX.
The Most Beloved debuts on Wednesday (24), against Maringá. Playing at 13:30 pm, the red-blacks face União Corinthians on Thursday, São José on Friday (13 pm), Basquete Cearense on Sunday (13 pm) and Pinheiros on Monday (13:30 pm). The clashes will be at Tijuca Tênis Clube.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – TIM, 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 generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.