Flamengo has signed a one-time reinforcement for its match against the Orlando Magic. Power forward Tiagão will wear the Sacred Mantle only in the NBA Global Games match, this Saturday at 18 p.m. at HSBC Arena. Click here and buy your ticket now.

Flamengo's Executive Director of Olympic Sports, Marcelo Vido, commented on the athlete's signing.

"It's a one-off invitation for this game against Orlando. The position was due to Olivinha's injury, who is currently undergoing evaluation. He's an experienced athlete, chosen and recommended by the basketball coaching staff, and he's coming to reinforce an already strong group and allow for a greater rotation of players, for a special game with different rules," he explained.

Tiagão recounted the excitement of being able to play for Flamengo, the country's most successful basketball team, and of stepping onto the court against an NBA team.

"It's the dream of every player who plays in Brazil to be able to play in a match like this. I'm very happy. Of course, it's a very difficult game, we know that, we're facing the best in the world, but Flamengo is a great, outstanding team, and it's no wonder they're champions of everything in Brazil and abroad. We're going to go up against them and try to play. I'm prepared. I was at the Military World Games with the Brazilian basketball team in South Korea," he said.

Athlete's file
Name: Tiago Valentim de Lima
Position: Power Forward
Sao Paulo (SP) - 03/07/1981
Height: 1,85m