On Thursday morning (January 12.01), the Pride of the Nation gained another reinforcement: American center Hakeem Rollins. The 33-year-old, 2,01m tall player completes the planned roster formation cycle for José Neto's team for the upcoming challenges of the New Basketball Brazil. Flamengo is the tournament's biggest winner, with five titles, and the current four-time consecutive champion.
Hakeem arrives in Rio next Friday (January 13.01) to undergo routine evaluation exams with the club's Medical Department and then sign a contract. The pivot will then begin individualized work on physical preparation and will join the group after the team returns from the three games it will play outside of Rio de Janeiro - Minas Tênis (January 12.01), Brasília (January 14.01) and Mogi (January 17.01), defending the red-black leadership in the qualifying phase of NBB 9.
About Hakeem Rollings:
The athlete, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, played in the NCAA, the United States' college basketball league, for the University of Washington. Hakeem played the last three seasons in the Argentine League's Liga A (Libertad Sunchales, Regatas Corrientes, and Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba), averaging 12 points, 8.5 rebounds, and one assist per game.