With three major reinforcements, Flamengo officially presented its basketball team for the 2011/2012 season on Monday morning (July 25.07th) at the club's headquarters in Gávea. At a press conference, the team's new signings were announced: Argentine power forward Federico Kammerichs, bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Brazilian national team center Caio Torres and American power forward David Jackson, named best player in his position in the 2010 and 2011 editions of the Argentine League.

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In addition to Kammerichs and Caio, the event was attended by the other players and the entire Rubro-Negro coaching staff. Still sorting out bureaucratic issues with his work visa, American David Jackson will only be integrated into the squad in August.

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The press conference was also attended by acting president Hélio Ferraz, the club's vice president of Olympic Sports Cristina Callou, and basketball director Arnaldo Szpiro. While on leave from her position, president Patrícia Amorim recorded a video greeting the team.

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"I can't be there physically, but my heart is with you. Basketball has always been a priority for this board, and I hope for an excellent season. Now it's up to you!" the president said in the recording.

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"Welcome to those who are arriving and I want to express my satisfaction with those who are already here. I wish the entire squad much success and may we win many titles throughout this season," added Hélio Ferraz.

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Voted MVP (best player) of the last edition of the Liga das Américas with Regata Corrientes, the 31-year-old power forward/center Kammerichs is excited about the opportunity to play for Flamengo:

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"I'm happy to be joining a club as important as Flamengo. I don't know much about Brazilian basketball yet, but I was very grateful for the interest from the red-and-black club and I'm very excited for this season," said the player, who will be the first Olympic medalist to compete in the NBB (New Basketball Brazil).

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After seven years playing in Spain, center Caio Torres is back in Brazilian basketball. His last club was Vivemenorca. Caio was released from the Brazilian national team's training session this morning to participate in the team's presentation.

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"After so much time away from the country, it's great to be back. I'm very happy, especially because it's at Flamengo. I hope to help the team a lot," said Caio.

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Having been part of the team for four years, captain Marcelinho, who was also released from the team's training camp to participate in the event, recalled the responsibility of wearing the sacred mantle:

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"It's a pleasure to be here, the reception is always very good. We intend to make all the new players feel very comfortable in the team and we know the demands and responsibility we have representing a shirt like Flamengo," he said.

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For coach Gonzalo Garcia, who renewed for another season, the red-black board was very successful in assembling the team:

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"I'm very happy to be back at this club that has always treated me so well. We're very excited about the new signings, who have a great track record in basketball and will be a huge help to the team. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we can all celebrate when the league ends."

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Flamengo's first challenge of the season will be the State Championship, starting on August 31st.

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