A reference that makes a difference
Tactically important, Bábby is one of Fla's weapons on the way to winning the South American title for the second time.
By From the official website team - in
Standing at two meters and eleven centimeters tall and weighing 125 kilograms, Rafael Araújo, known as Bábby, has a significant advantage over other centers in Brazilian and even South American basketball. In addition to his offensive and defensive abilities, he is stronger than average for his position and wants to capitalize on this to become a key tactical asset for Flamengo in this final round of the South American League.
With extensive international experience, Bábby returned to Brazil in the 2008-2009 season to play for Flamengo and was a resounding success: winning the South American League and the National Championship that year. However, he didn't renew his contract, moving to Paulistano. After a difficult year, he returned to the place he considers home, Gávea, and aims to repeat his success.
"It's great to be back. I'm very happy to wear the Flamengo jersey, to have these fans behind me. It's wonderful. I hope I can win more titles, helping the team as much as possible. Titles are the result of hard work, and we know that," he explained.
The match against Franca, in the second round of the first stage of the final hexagonal, demonstrated Bábby's importance in the red-and-black paint. Considered a position in need of a little reinforcement after last season, the five-man position has a strong representative, who recorded a double-double against Franca, with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
"That's my game: going for contact, trying to win with physical strength. I know it's an important role tactically, and whatever I can do to help the team, I will. But it's not just me. All my teammates help. Wagner, Teichmann, and Jefferson, who play closer to me, Marcelinho, Helio, Duda, and Fred, who stay open and receive the ball when the defense is focused on the paint... It's a team that's on the right track," he observed.
Captain's approval – Another of the stars of this red-black group, captain Marcelinho Machado, top scorer in the game against Franca with 31 points, also considers Bábby a fundamental piece in Flamengo's scheme and says that his arrival was very important to help the team both offensively and defensively.
"Bábby is a very high-quality player who helps us a lot in the paint, not only by grabbing rebounds and scoring, but also by drawing the defense's attention and creating space for long-range shooters. I believe Flamengo is in good shape. We need to improve, of course, as the season is only halfway through, but we have the ability to fight for this title," he added.
Flamengo will decide a spot in the South American League final this Saturday (November 27.11th) at 21 p.m. at the HSBC Arena. The red-and-blacks will face Argentina's Quimsa in the semifinal. In the other semifinal, at 18:30 p.m., Brasília will face Boca Juniors.
With extensive international experience, Bábby returned to Brazil in the 2008-2009 season to play for Flamengo and was a resounding success: winning the South American League and the National Championship that year. However, he didn't renew his contract, moving to Paulistano. After a difficult year, he returned to the place he considers home, Gávea, and aims to repeat his success.
"It's great to be back. I'm very happy to wear the Flamengo jersey, to have these fans behind me. It's wonderful. I hope I can win more titles, helping the team as much as possible. Titles are the result of hard work, and we know that," he explained.
The match against Franca, in the second round of the first stage of the final hexagonal, demonstrated Bábby's importance in the red-and-black paint. Considered a position in need of a little reinforcement after last season, the five-man position has a strong representative, who recorded a double-double against Franca, with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
"That's my game: going for contact, trying to win with physical strength. I know it's an important role tactically, and whatever I can do to help the team, I will. But it's not just me. All my teammates help. Wagner, Teichmann, and Jefferson, who play closer to me, Marcelinho, Helio, Duda, and Fred, who stay open and receive the ball when the defense is focused on the paint... It's a team that's on the right track," he observed.
Captain's approval – Another of the stars of this red-black group, captain Marcelinho Machado, top scorer in the game against Franca with 31 points, also considers Bábby a fundamental piece in Flamengo's scheme and says that his arrival was very important to help the team both offensively and defensively.
"Bábby is a very high-quality player who helps us a lot in the paint, not only by grabbing rebounds and scoring, but also by drawing the defense's attention and creating space for long-range shooters. I believe Flamengo is in good shape. We need to improve, of course, as the season is only halfway through, but we have the ability to fight for this title," he added.
Flamengo will decide a spot in the South American League final this Saturday (November 27.11th) at 21 p.m. at the HSBC Arena. The red-and-blacks will face Argentina's Quimsa in the semifinal. In the other semifinal, at 18:30 p.m., Brasília will face Boca Juniors.