Dedé is released and travels with the group to Brasília
Flamengo Basketball gets 'reinforcement' for the NBB playoffs
By press office - in
The announcement of the signings of swimmers Cesar Cielo, Nicholas Santos, and Henrique Barbosa wasn't the only news to excite the red-and-black fans this Wednesday. After being sidelined for more than two months with a right hand injury, forward/guard Dedé was cleared by the medical department to train with a ball and is expected to be available for coach Paulo Chupeta in the first round of the playoffs.
Even though he will not be playing against Minas Gerais on Friday and Brasília on Sunday, which are part of the final two rounds of the Novo Basquete Brasil, Dedé is confirmed to be part of the delegation that will travel to the Federal District this Saturday for the Interligas Tournament, from April 6 to 8. Clinically recovered and fully fit, the player will participate in training with his teammates but will not yet be used by Paulo Chupeta in the competition.
"He's no longer in pain and is cleared to train with the ball. However, it's still premature to put him on the court to participate in group training or activities that involve physical contact. For now, he'll just shoot and participate in technical drills. The trip will be important for him to train with the group, regain rhythm, and prepare to enter the playoffs 100 percent," explained physiotherapist Ricardo Machado.
Although he can't wait to get back to playing, Dedé believes that the coaching staff's decision to keep him out of the next two League games and the Interleague Tournament was the right one.
"I didn't feel anything in training today (Wednesday) and if it were up to me I would play against Minas on Friday. I'm anxious to return and the desire to get on the court to help Flamengo is huge, but there's no point in rushing and aggravating the injury like what happened in the game against Joinville in the League," said Dedé, remembering the clash with Shilton that aggravated the finger injury and left him out for another six weeks.
With practically all the players at his disposal, Paulo Chupeta also celebrated Dedé's return and highlighted the player's importance in the group that will travel to the Federal District.
"He's an extra player. Now I just need Ian to have the full group under my belt. Dedé is one of the most experienced players on this team, and his return will be very important in the playoffs. We'll have an extra week in Brasília to work with him before the playoffs," said the red-and-black coach.
Even though he will not be playing against Minas Gerais on Friday and Brasília on Sunday, which are part of the final two rounds of the Novo Basquete Brasil, Dedé is confirmed to be part of the delegation that will travel to the Federal District this Saturday for the Interligas Tournament, from April 6 to 8. Clinically recovered and fully fit, the player will participate in training with his teammates but will not yet be used by Paulo Chupeta in the competition.
"He's no longer in pain and is cleared to train with the ball. However, it's still premature to put him on the court to participate in group training or activities that involve physical contact. For now, he'll just shoot and participate in technical drills. The trip will be important for him to train with the group, regain rhythm, and prepare to enter the playoffs 100 percent," explained physiotherapist Ricardo Machado.
Although he can't wait to get back to playing, Dedé believes that the coaching staff's decision to keep him out of the next two League games and the Interleague Tournament was the right one.
"I didn't feel anything in training today (Wednesday) and if it were up to me I would play against Minas on Friday. I'm anxious to return and the desire to get on the court to help Flamengo is huge, but there's no point in rushing and aggravating the injury like what happened in the game against Joinville in the League," said Dedé, remembering the clash with Shilton that aggravated the finger injury and left him out for another six weeks.
With practically all the players at his disposal, Paulo Chupeta also celebrated Dedé's return and highlighted the player's importance in the group that will travel to the Federal District.
"He's an extra player. Now I just need Ian to have the full group under my belt. Dedé is one of the most experienced players on this team, and his return will be very important in the playoffs. We'll have an extra week in Brasília to work with him before the playoffs," said the red-and-black coach.