Marquinhos: "We really want this medal"
FlaBasquete idol, winger recalls memorable moments from London 2012 and projects Brazil in Rio 2016
By Raiana Monteiro - in
Last Friday (24) the Brazilian Olympic basketball team arrived in São Paulo to resume training for the Rio-2016 Olympic Games, with coach Rubén Magnano and his technical committee, which includes the victorious red-blacks José Neto, Magnano's assistant and maestro of FlaBasquete, and Diego Falcão, physical trainer of Mais Querido and the green and yellow team. Among the athletes called up is winger Marquinhos, one of the most successful players in the history of the sport at Gávea. At 32 years old, the MVP of the last season of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) 2015/16 had an exclusive chat with the Official Flamengo Website.
Marquinhos arrived at Gávea in 2012 and, by the end of his first season with the Red-Blacks, had already won over the entire nation and earned his first NBB MVP title in 2012/13. A key player in Neto's squad, the star player was also named Best Small Forward by the National Basketball League (LNB) four consecutive times while wearing the Sacred Mantle. The player, who has played in Europe and the NBA, as well as being a member of the Brazilian National Team at the 2012 London Olympics, boasts four NBB titles, a League of the Americas title, and an Intercontinental Cup, definitively marking his name in Brazilian basketball history.
Check out the opinion of Gávea's number 11 below.
Official Site: After a successful season with Flamengo, how did you make it to the Olympic team?
Marquinhos: I'm excited to join the team because I know it's a goal I haven't yet set, and I dream of doing everything I can to win a medal with this group. We really want that medal.
The United States announced its roster for the Olympics, with two key losses: Stephen Curry and LeBron James. How do you feel about this, as an opposing player?
I think these are huge losses for basketball in general. These are players everyone wants to see, not just Brazilians. But that's no excuse or synonymous with a weaker team. They always have great players who will certainly fill this void. The Dream Team, regardless, will always be the team to beat.
How do you see yourself within the current Brazilian National Team squad?
Our dream is to win a medal, and I see myself as a very important player in achieving this goal. Since Rubén Magnano took over the national team, I've been honored. I consider myself an important player in his strategy, both defensively and offensively, and I hope to continue helping the Brazilian team.
Do you consider yourself to be in the best physical/technical shape of your entire career?
I'm at a really good point in my career, I think I'm at my peak, winning titles, always reaching finals with Flamengo... This season (2015/16), in particular, I underwent separate treatment, with medical supervision and off-court work, which helped me a lot to be in good physical shape. So I think I can say that I'm in the best shape I've ever been.
What is your greatest Olympic memory?
My greatest Olympic memory is definitely stepping into the Olympic Stadium for the opening parade of the Games with the Brazilian delegation in London in 2012. It was a packed stadium, with around 100 people celebrating all the athletes from different countries and sports. What I felt in that moment was incredibly powerful. I want to experience that feeling again this year, only at the Maracanã. I can't wait for that moment to arrive.
How can Flamengo fans help Brazil in its quest for a medal at home?
Flamengo fans are always a special case. I'm sure most will be at Arena Carioca cheering on the team as if it were the club itself. The love for Flamengo is unmatched, so I think people will cheer for the red-and-blacks who are part of the Brazilian basketball team and will throw another wonderful party.
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo adult basketball team relies on direct funding from its sponsor – Estácio – in addition to investments from Tim via the State Sports Incentive Law/State Secretariat for Sports, Leisure and Youth (ICMS).
Marquinhos arrived at Gávea in 2012 and, by the end of his first season with the Red-Blacks, had already won over the entire nation and earned his first NBB MVP title in 2012/13. A key player in Neto's squad, the star player was also named Best Small Forward by the National Basketball League (LNB) four consecutive times while wearing the Sacred Mantle. The player, who has played in Europe and the NBA, as well as being a member of the Brazilian National Team at the 2012 London Olympics, boasts four NBB titles, a League of the Americas title, and an Intercontinental Cup, definitively marking his name in Brazilian basketball history.
Check out the opinion of Gávea's number 11 below.
Official Site: After a successful season with Flamengo, how did you make it to the Olympic team?
Marquinhos: I'm excited to join the team because I know it's a goal I haven't yet set, and I dream of doing everything I can to win a medal with this group. We really want that medal.
The United States announced its roster for the Olympics, with two key losses: Stephen Curry and LeBron James. How do you feel about this, as an opposing player?
I think these are huge losses for basketball in general. These are players everyone wants to see, not just Brazilians. But that's no excuse or synonymous with a weaker team. They always have great players who will certainly fill this void. The Dream Team, regardless, will always be the team to beat.
How do you see yourself within the current Brazilian National Team squad?
Our dream is to win a medal, and I see myself as a very important player in achieving this goal. Since Rubén Magnano took over the national team, I've been honored. I consider myself an important player in his strategy, both defensively and offensively, and I hope to continue helping the Brazilian team.
Do you consider yourself to be in the best physical/technical shape of your entire career?
I'm at a really good point in my career, I think I'm at my peak, winning titles, always reaching finals with Flamengo... This season (2015/16), in particular, I underwent separate treatment, with medical supervision and off-court work, which helped me a lot to be in good physical shape. So I think I can say that I'm in the best shape I've ever been.
What is your greatest Olympic memory?
My greatest Olympic memory is definitely stepping into the Olympic Stadium for the opening parade of the Games with the Brazilian delegation in London in 2012. It was a packed stadium, with around 100 people celebrating all the athletes from different countries and sports. What I felt in that moment was incredibly powerful. I want to experience that feeling again this year, only at the Maracanã. I can't wait for that moment to arrive.
How can Flamengo fans help Brazil in its quest for a medal at home?
Flamengo fans are always a special case. I'm sure most will be at Arena Carioca cheering on the team as if it were the club itself. The love for Flamengo is unmatched, so I think people will cheer for the red-and-blacks who are part of the Brazilian basketball team and will throw another wonderful party.
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo adult basketball team relies on direct funding from its sponsor – Estácio – in addition to investments from Tim via the State Sports Incentive Law/State Secretariat for Sports, Leisure and Youth (ICMS).