FlaBasquete is undergoing a major overhaul, and the first step was the hiring of coach Gustavo de Conti, NBB 10 champion with Paulistano. Less than a week after the coach's arrival, the Mais Querido announced the arrival of former Paulistano player Jhonatan Luz. Captain and voted one of the São Paulo team's best players in last season's national title campaign, the 31-year-old winger believes that working with Gustavinho, as the coach is known by his players, played a significant role in his decision to accept the invitation to represent the red-and-black colors.

"When we receive an offer, before closing, we analyze everything, assessing every detail. The fact that I could work with Gustavinho also went through this evaluation process, and it obviously weighed heavily in my favor, as he's a professional I greatly admire. I had the pleasure of working with him on his latest personal achievements, and I will have the pleasure of working with him at Flamengo. I believe there's a mutual trust involved; I trust his work, and I believe he has great confidence in my potential (I hope to meet his expectations)."

In addition to Jhonatan, FlaBasquete brought in shooting guard Deryk Ramos and power forward David Nesbitt from Paulistano. Luz believes that having already played with both makes things easier on the court. "Of course, the presence of the others is also important; they are players with very good technical skills, and there's already a certain level of technical chemistry. But I also enjoy new challenges and am looking forward to playing with my new teammates."

The Red-Black Nation embraces FlaBasquete and is present at games, always supporting and demanding the best for the team. Having already played against Fla, the forward understands the Red-Black fans and wants this match to happen as soon as possible. "I've been on the other side, and it wasn't easy... Definitely, the anxiety is natural. Who wouldn't want to play with such passionate fans?"

Last season, the wing averaged 7,7 points and 4,7 rebounds per game, finishing the competition with a 10th-percent efficiency rating. Shooting 45% from three, the Mais Querido's new signing was one of the tournament's best players in this regard. Despite his strong season, the 31-year-old winger wants to continue improving and promises dedication, commitment, and determination for the red and black team.

"I love basketball, and with great humility, I've always sought to improve my stats. This will be no different. I know I'm in a good spot, but I'll continue to dedicate myself to improving even further. So what you can expect from me is total dedication—in games, in training, in recovery, and in my interactions with my teammates. In other words: Dedication, Commitment, and Grit!"