Flamengo presented, on the morning of this Wednesday (15.08), in a press conference, in Gávea, the adult basketball team for the 2012/2013 season. In addition to the three players from the Brazilian team that competed in the London Olympics, Marcelinho, Caio Torres and Marquinhos, recently signed from Pinheiros, the team will have five more reinforcements: Vitor Benite, Shilton, Olivinha, Gegê and the American Kojo (who for bureaucratic reasons with the work visa could not be present), in addition to the wing/point guard Duda.

Coach José Neto, formerly of Joinville and Ruben Magnano's assistant in the national team, was also introduced.

At the opening of the press conference, president Patricia Amorim made a point of welcoming the new players and coaching staff.

"Welcome to all the new and returning players, especially those who have just returned from the Olympics. It's an honor and a great source of pride to have you here. As a fan, I hope we win all the titles we compete for and start off on the right foot. Good luck to everyone! May you be very happy here. Flamengo welcomes everyone with open arms. Basketball is the heart of Olympic sports and is also close to the hearts of every Flamengo fan," said the president.

Flamengo's first competition of the season will be the State Championship, the date of which has not yet been set. The team will also compete in the South American League in October and the NBB in November.

Below are the main points of the press conference:

"What I've been telling the new signings is that they'll be delighted to play for Flamengo. Playing here is different. It's a club with fans all over Brazil. Our team this year was very well put together, it really looks like a winning team, but of course we have to work hard. We can't just think that we have several national team players and other top-level players, but we must know that we need to build a great team. That's what will give us the chance to be champions. I'm very excited."

"I believe that we have a very strong and very talented team and that with a lot of dedication we will be able to achieve our goals this season"

"I started here at Flamengo, and this club gave me a great foundation. Playing for Flamengo has a different flavor because, besides being a very strong club, it's a club with a very strong presence in the Brazilian basketball scene. I'm very happy to be back and to be alongside excellent players and friends. I'm going to pursue titles, and I'm sure that with a lot of work and dedication, this will happen."

"I'm very happy to be at Flamengo for another year. Everyone here today is a great player and a great friend, and this will translate into something very good for us on the court. The burden we have playing for Flamengo is a very satisfying burden. We'll always think about winning every game."

"First, I want to thank Flamengo for their trust in me. My first goal is to do my best to honor the trust that all the directors have placed in me. Of course, managing a team like Flamengo is extremely motivating. This job here at Flamengo is a great opportunity to put into practice all the basketball I believe in, because here we have excellent players, excellent professionals, and one of the best structures in the country."

"I'm very motivated and the goal is to win everything we compete for. We have a very competitive team to achieve this, and we'll work hard to make it happen. Flamengo will go in to win both at home and away, and I'm counting on the fans to make that happen."

"What I tell the players is that we have to view all favoritism as a motivational factor. Flamengo has always been the favorite in everything we've played, and we have to know how to deal with that. I'm very calm, but I'm aware that this becomes an incentive for us to achieve our goals." 

"Flamengo enters this basketball season with a winning team. We don't enter any competition just to participate; our goal is always to win. The fans demand it, and we have an obligation to build a good team. Winning is a matter of hard work and dedication."