Pride of the Nation closes with new reinforcements for NBB and LDB
Red-black basketball presents Leo Bispo, Lele and Pedrinho for the 2016/2017 season
By Isabel Oberg - in
FlaBasquete will add three more young players for the 2016/2017 season of the New Basketball Brazil. With the main team already complete, the Pride of the Nation will welcome the under-22 players to join the strong Flamengo squad. Leonardo Bispo, Leonardo Oliveira, and Pedro Henrique Rava will join the five-time NBB champion team, and will also have the opportunity to defend the Sacred Mantle in the Basketball Development League (LDB), the main youth championship in Brazilian basketball.
Leo Bispo, Lele and Pedrinho join Marcelinho, Marquinhos, Olivinha, Humberto, Ricardo Fischer, Rafael Mineiro, JP Batista, Ronald Ramon and coach José Neto.
With national experience despite their young age, Flamengo's new signings will bolster coach José Neto's squad in its quest for another national title. Learn more about them below:
Leonardo "Leo" Bishop
Coming from Pinheiros, the young 2,05'19" power forward/center is already familiar with Brazil's premier basketball tournament, the NBB. The XNUMX-year-old from São Paulo has made clear his desire to help the red-and-black team and his joy at being able to play for a team of Flamengo's caliber.
"Expectations are high. I'm going to the best team in Brazil, and for me, it's a great opportunity. I'll be playing among the best, training among the best. I think I'll be able to improve a lot and I'll try to help Flamengo in any way possible," said the winger.
Leo will soon be flying to Los Angeles, at the invitation of camp adidas Nations international training session, which will take place at the end of this week (July 28.07th to August 01.08st). Excited, Flamengo's new athlete explained how important this opportunity could be for him.
"It'll be good to see how I am on the court, how my game is. I'll also be able to play with people from another country, and that will be a good learning experience, especially to see what level I'm at. I'll know what I need to improve, whether it's intensity or something specific on the court. I think overall, my trip to adidas Nation will be very good," he said.
Leonardo "Lele" Oliveira
Hailing from the United States, where he was playing for Southeastern Community College, Lele, also from São Paulo, plays as a winger and, like his namesake, has also participated in a season of the NBB. At 20 years old and 1,91m tall, the winger, who played in Brazil for Limeira, was eager to join FlaBasquete.
"I'm very happy to be able to play and wear the jersey of such a great team as Flamengo. I was playing in the US and had no intention of returning, but when I spoke to Flamengo, knowing how great the club is and the people who work there, I was very happy to be able to return. The expectations are huge, I'm anxious to be able to play for Flamengo," said Lele.
Pedro Henrique "Pedrinho" Rava
The oldest of the three signings, Pedrinho joined from Rio de Janeiro's Macaé team and has already played in two editions of the Novo Basquete Brasil. The 1,83-foot-XNUMX point guard from Rio Grande do Sul has shown that playing for Flamengo and having the world's largest fan base behind him has always been a dream.
"I always told my family that one day I would play for Flamengo, and today I'm realizing a dream. My expectations are as high as they can be. Going to a team with great players, a crowd that gave me goosebumps when I played against them, and knowing that they'll be there for me now motivates me even more. In every championship I play in and wear the shirt, I'll go after titles. I want titles, and I couldn't be on a better team to pursue them," he explained.
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).
Leo Bispo, Lele and Pedrinho join Marcelinho, Marquinhos, Olivinha, Humberto, Ricardo Fischer, Rafael Mineiro, JP Batista, Ronald Ramon and coach José Neto.
With national experience despite their young age, Flamengo's new signings will bolster coach José Neto's squad in its quest for another national title. Learn more about them below:
Leonardo "Leo" BishopComing from Pinheiros, the young 2,05'19" power forward/center is already familiar with Brazil's premier basketball tournament, the NBB. The XNUMX-year-old from São Paulo has made clear his desire to help the red-and-black team and his joy at being able to play for a team of Flamengo's caliber.
"Expectations are high. I'm going to the best team in Brazil, and for me, it's a great opportunity. I'll be playing among the best, training among the best. I think I'll be able to improve a lot and I'll try to help Flamengo in any way possible," said the winger.
Leo will soon be flying to Los Angeles, at the invitation of camp adidas Nations international training session, which will take place at the end of this week (July 28.07th to August 01.08st). Excited, Flamengo's new athlete explained how important this opportunity could be for him.
"It'll be good to see how I am on the court, how my game is. I'll also be able to play with people from another country, and that will be a good learning experience, especially to see what level I'm at. I'll know what I need to improve, whether it's intensity or something specific on the court. I think overall, my trip to adidas Nation will be very good," he said.
Leonardo "Lele" OliveiraHailing from the United States, where he was playing for Southeastern Community College, Lele, also from São Paulo, plays as a winger and, like his namesake, has also participated in a season of the NBB. At 20 years old and 1,91m tall, the winger, who played in Brazil for Limeira, was eager to join FlaBasquete.
"I'm very happy to be able to play and wear the jersey of such a great team as Flamengo. I was playing in the US and had no intention of returning, but when I spoke to Flamengo, knowing how great the club is and the people who work there, I was very happy to be able to return. The expectations are huge, I'm anxious to be able to play for Flamengo," said Lele.
Pedro Henrique "Pedrinho" RavaThe oldest of the three signings, Pedrinho joined from Rio de Janeiro's Macaé team and has already played in two editions of the Novo Basquete Brasil. The 1,83-foot-XNUMX point guard from Rio Grande do Sul has shown that playing for Flamengo and having the world's largest fan base behind him has always been a dream.
"I always told my family that one day I would play for Flamengo, and today I'm realizing a dream. My expectations are as high as they can be. Going to a team with great players, a crowd that gave me goosebumps when I played against them, and knowing that they'll be there for me now motivates me even more. In every championship I play in and wear the shirt, I'll go after titles. I want titles, and I couldn't be on a better team to pursue them," he explained.
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).