The Flamengo Guardian Angel is a project created by Clube de Regatas do Flamengo with a single goal: to aid the growth of Olympic sports so that, in the future, the club could reap the rewards in the eight disciplines it offers. Considered a transformative initiative, the Angel benefits more than 650 athletes who work every day to keep the club at the top. 

Thiago Batista, known as Sorriso, is one of the athletes honored by the Guardian Angel. Playing for the club since he was 11, the power forward has won titles defending the Manto Sagrado and is a leading figure in the Mais Querido's youth basketball academy. This season, representing the U-19 team, Sorriso is seeking another state championship trophy and remains focused on having one of his best seasons. A reference for his significant year-over-year improvement, the athlete spoke a little about his career. 

"I always trained in one or two categories above mine, until I managed to be called up to the Carioca and Brazilian Under-15 and even Under-17 teams," he said. 

Check out the full profile of Thiago Batista, known as Sorriso, below. 

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.