MVP. Without a doubt, Marquinhos was the best player of the NBB regular season. The number 11, twice named the competition's MVP, is on his way to his third trophy. A four-time champion of the Novo Basquete Brasil, the red-and-black wing arrives for the playoffs in some of his best form, both physically and technically. The numbers are telling: Marquinhos finished the first phase of the competition with 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, resulting in an efficiency rating of 18.2. 

With the highest points average in the tournament, the star player was the top scorer in 11 regular season matches. Against Paulistano, at Arena Carioca 1, Marquinhos broke the single-game scoring record in NBB 10, netting an incredible 37 points. 2018 marked a personal best for the player. Against Bauru, the winger completed 200 games wearing the red-and-black jersey in the NBB. Capping the match with 23 points and a victory for FlaBasquete.

When it comes to the playoffs, the winger's numbers are even higher. Last season, he scored an incredible 19.4 points per game. Aware of his leading role on the team, the player spoke about what he expects from another final stretch of the NBB season wearing the Sacred Mantle.

"Expectations are as high as possible. We had a good first phase, now we're moving on to the part that decides the competition. We're making the most of this break to try to fix a few things before the knockout stage begins. I'm looking forward to playing and progressing through each phase," said the winger. 

Flamengo makes its playoff debut next Sunday (15), at 14 pm, against Minas Tênis Clube, in Belo Horizonte. 

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.