Flamengo continues to strengthen its squad for the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA) and has signed Argentine power forward Bautista Lugarini, 25 years old and 1,99m tall. Versatile and with international experience, the player arrives at Flamengo to add to the team that seeks its second championship in the continental competition.

Lugarini will wear the Sacred Mantle number 8 and is scheduled to make his debut on March 6th, reinforcing Flamengo in the first leg of the BCLA quarterfinals against Astros de Jalisco at Maracanãzinho.

Born in San Nicolás, in the province of Buenos Aires, Lugarini began his professional career at Bahía Basket, where he debuted in the Liga Nacional de Básquet in 2017. After four seasons with the club, he moved to Spain in 2021, playing for Palmer Alma Mediterránea and the Valencia Basket affiliate.

In 2022, he returned to Argentina to play for Instituto Córdoba, where he experienced a period of career consolidation. He won the 2023 South American League championship and was runner-up in the National League. After three seasons at Instituto, the forward returned to European basketball and played for Grupo Alega Cantabria in the Primera FEB, his last club before joining Flamengo.

Internationally, Lugarini progressed from the youth ranks to the senior national team. He made his debut for the senior team in 2025, during the AmeriCup qualifiers, and is currently called up for this international window, at the end of February and beginning of March 2026, alongside his Flamengo compatriots Franco Baralle and Alex Negrete.

In his first message to the Flamengo fans, the Argentinian expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge:

“Regarding my arrival, I am very happy with everything it means to come to such a big club as Flamengo. It’s a joy to know that a club like this is focused on me and that they want me to contribute; it’s something unique. I believe I can help the team with my versatility. I can help with points, rebounds, defending against various players. And also in whatever the coach needs. So, more than anything, I’m happy and proud to be able to represent such a big club as Flamengo,” he concluded.

Flamengo takes this opportunity to thank fellow Argentinian Ramiro Santiago for his dedication and professionalism during the last two BCLA transfer windows, a period in which he defended the Sacred Mantle with commitment and devotion. The club wishes him success in the continuation of his career.