Another edition of the Basketball Development League will begin this Friday (July 24.07th) in Uberlândia. Flamengo will be looking for its third title in the competition, alongside 23 other teams – the largest edition ever held in this competition. All teams will face each other once in the first phase, which is divided into five stages. At the end of this stage, the eight best teams advance to the final phase, where they are divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, which, like the final, are played in a single match.

If Flamengo is one of the greatest powers in Brazilian and South American basketball, this well-done and consolidated work begins at the grassroots level. Beyond national recognition, FlaBasquete recently became the first Brazilian team to participate in the official preseason of the world's biggest basketball league, the NBA. Flamengo's fans don't limit their love for the Rubro-Negro to just football and also show their support in basketball, calling the team the Pride of the Nation.

Flamengo's young athletes have a good track record in the youth championship: they are the most successful team in the LDB (Liga de Desenvolvimento de Basquete - Basketball Development League), with two titles (in 2011 and 2013). In the last edition, they finished as runners-up, behind only Basquete Cearense. The "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) will be aiming for their third title with a young squad, but with familiar faces in the starting lineup – such as Danielzinho, Mingau, and Gigante.

Check out the complete Flamengo squad:

Daniel Lório "Danielzinho" – playmaker
Gabriel Ferreira "Giant"
Victor Souza "Pezão" – pivot
Vitor Amorim – winger
Douglas Santos – playmaker
Kayo Gonçalves – forward/center
Ravi Pereira – forward/center
Fernando Nogueira – wing
Luiz Otavio "Mingau" – forward/center
Rodrigo Furtado
Francesco Martini – shipowner
Pablo Henrique – playmaker
Matheus Varela – winger

The youth basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – CSN (Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional), Banco Bonsucesso, and Brasil Brokers – through the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sport (Income Tax). You can also contribute by becoming a Flamengo Guardian Angel. Simply transfer up to 6% of your income tax due, receiving your contribution back in your tax refund. The program will be back soon.