In Flamengo's preseason, one player stands out for his exceptional performance. It's Marquinhos, the best player in the last edition of the Novo Basquete Brasil (New Basketball Brazil), who is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July. With just over two weeks to go before the start of the State Championship, the winger assures that he won't be a loss for José Neto in the competition.

"I'm in the final stages of recovery. I've already started working out at the gym, going for a light run. Next week, I'll be working on the court, and I think that in a week or two, I'll be training at 100%," he said.

Flamengo's squad returned last week, undergoing medical exams and beginning physical training at the gym. Strength training, off the court and without the ball, will continue until next Friday (September 06.09th). The preseason is tough, as the "Mais Querido" will compete in three competitions in the coming months: the State Championship, the NBB, and the League of the Americas.

"We're going to play forward in all the championships. We want to start well in the State Championship and start the NBB with quality to play a possible final at home. We have to work hard at the beginning so that we can hold up well at the end of the season, since the goal is to play at a high level in all competitions," said Marquinhos.

Coach José Neto and players Benite and Cristiano Felício are not yet with the group in the preseason, as they are part of the Brazilian National Team, which is competing in the Copa América in Venezuela.

Flamengo opens the State Championship on September 20th, in a duel against Tijuca, at the opponent's gym, at 20 pm.

See below the calendars of the competitions that Mais Querido will compete in.

State Championship
(September – October 2013)
Flamengo, Macaé, Tijuca and Campos

Novo Basquete Brazil
(November 2013 – June 2014)
20 teams from all over Brazil

League of the Americas
(February – April 2014)
16 teams from countries in the Americas (excluding the United States)