Rollins is the 30th American athlete to play for FlaBasquete
Check out the history of foreigners from the United States who have already participated in the Pride of the Nation
By Isabel Oberg and Isabela Abirached - in
The fame of Flamengo basketball isn't limited to Brazil. Current four-time champion of the New Basketball Brazil, champion of the League of the Americas (2014), and Intercontinental champion (2014), the FlaBasquete team attracts attention from around the world, including foreign players. From 1965 to the present, dozens of North American athletes have passed through Gávea and defended the colors of Flamengo on the court. Hakeem Rollins, coach José Neto's latest addition for the 2016/2017 season, is the 30th player from his country to wear the Sacred Mantle, completing a long list of athletes from the land of Uncle Sam who have played for Flamengo.
Currently, the Pride of the Nation has two foreigners: Rollins, a recent addition to the team, and Ronald Ramon, a Dominican Republic native who also holds American nationality. The center, who is playing with the number 2 jersey, says he's honored to be part of the Mais Querido's history and was impressed by his compatriots' track record at FlaBasquete.
"I had no idea that Americans had played professional basketball for Flamengo for so long. This is very impressive to me and shows how much history this club has. It's truly a privilege to be part of this group," said Hakeem.
The first red-and-black basketball team to receive an American player was in 1965, coached by the legendary Togo Renan Soares, known as Kanela. That year's team featured two American players: number 9 Jim Lee and number 11.
From 1996 to the 2000s, in a short period of four years, the Hélio Mauricio gymnasium saw 11 Americans pass through its court, six in 1998 alone. That year, the adult team was Carioca Champion over Vasco da Gama and ended its participation in the National Championship in the quarterfinals.
Over the past six seasons of Novo Basquete Brasil, the Pride of the Nation has always had at least one American on its team. In NBB 8, the season in which the Red-Blacks won their fourth championship, there were three American athletes on the court: Jerome Meyinsse, Jason Robinson, and Ronald Ramon. Jerome, for example, played three seasons with the Manto Sagrado, was part of the "champion of everything" generation, and, at the end of 2016, received the title of honorary member of Clube da Gávea.
Below you can see a list of 29 Americans who have played for FlaBasquete over the past 52 years. According to Flamengo's Historical Heritage Department, the 30th player has not been identified, but he played with the number 11 jersey in 1965, alongside Jim Lee.
Hakeem Rollins – current
Ronald Ramon – current
Jason Robinson – 2015/2016
Jerome Meyinsse – 2013-2016
Derrick Caracter – 2014
Kojo – 2012/2013
David Jackson – 2011/2012
David Teague – 2010/2011
Christopher Hayes – 2011/2012
Kyle Lamonte – 2010
Adrian Henning – 2006
Marc Brown – 2004/2005
Robyn Davis – 2000/2001
Marlon Anderson – 1999
Kendrick Warren - 1998
Brent Merritt – 1998
Steve Worthy – 1998
Kenny Payne – 1998
Alvin Heggs – 1998
Alvin Frederick – 1997-1998
Ken Redfield – 1997
Askia Jones – 1997
Leon Jones – 1996
Rocky Smith – 1990
Morgan Taylor - 1989
John Flowers - 1988
Thompson – 1977
Charles Bush – 1973
Jim Lee – 1965
The Pride of the Nation's next challenge is this Thursday (2), against the Pinheiros team, at the opponent's home, in the capital of São Paulo. Hakeem will enter the court for the third time this season, defending Rubro-Negro in the search for the sixth title, fifth consecutive, in the national competition.
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).
Currently, the Pride of the Nation has two foreigners: Rollins, a recent addition to the team, and Ronald Ramon, a Dominican Republic native who also holds American nationality. The center, who is playing with the number 2 jersey, says he's honored to be part of the Mais Querido's history and was impressed by his compatriots' track record at FlaBasquete.
"I had no idea that Americans had played professional basketball for Flamengo for so long. This is very impressive to me and shows how much history this club has. It's truly a privilege to be part of this group," said Hakeem.
The first red-and-black basketball team to receive an American player was in 1965, coached by the legendary Togo Renan Soares, known as Kanela. That year's team featured two American players: number 9 Jim Lee and number 11.
From 1996 to the 2000s, in a short period of four years, the Hélio Mauricio gymnasium saw 11 Americans pass through its court, six in 1998 alone. That year, the adult team was Carioca Champion over Vasco da Gama and ended its participation in the National Championship in the quarterfinals.
Over the past six seasons of Novo Basquete Brasil, the Pride of the Nation has always had at least one American on its team. In NBB 8, the season in which the Red-Blacks won their fourth championship, there were three American athletes on the court: Jerome Meyinsse, Jason Robinson, and Ronald Ramon. Jerome, for example, played three seasons with the Manto Sagrado, was part of the "champion of everything" generation, and, at the end of 2016, received the title of honorary member of Clube da Gávea.
Below you can see a list of 29 Americans who have played for FlaBasquete over the past 52 years. According to Flamengo's Historical Heritage Department, the 30th player has not been identified, but he played with the number 11 jersey in 1965, alongside Jim Lee.
Hakeem Rollins – current
Ronald Ramon – current
Jason Robinson – 2015/2016
Jerome Meyinsse – 2013-2016
Derrick Caracter – 2014
Kojo – 2012/2013
David Jackson – 2011/2012
David Teague – 2010/2011
Christopher Hayes – 2011/2012
Kyle Lamonte – 2010
Adrian Henning – 2006
Marc Brown – 2004/2005
Robyn Davis – 2000/2001
Marlon Anderson – 1999
Kendrick Warren - 1998
Brent Merritt – 1998
Steve Worthy – 1998
Kenny Payne – 1998
Alvin Heggs – 1998
Alvin Frederick – 1997-1998
Ken Redfield – 1997
Askia Jones – 1997
Leon Jones – 1996
Rocky Smith – 1990
Morgan Taylor - 1989
John Flowers - 1988
Thompson – 1977
Charles Bush – 1973
Jim Lee – 1965
The Pride of the Nation's next challenge is this Thursday (2), against the Pinheiros team, at the opponent's home, in the capital of São Paulo. Hakeem will enter the court for the third time this season, defending Rubro-Negro in the search for the sixth title, fifth consecutive, in the national competition.
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).