The starting lineup for the NBB Brazil and NBB World teams is in the hands of the fans. Starting next Friday (February 07.02th), the public will choose the starting five for the 2014 All-Star Game. The red-and-black fans will be able to vote for the four athletes representing Flamengo: Olivinha, Marcelinho, Laprovittola and Meyinsse, who are among the 24 selected for the commemorative match of the New Basketball Brazil (NBB). The show is scheduled for February 22nd, at 10 am, at the Paulo Sarasate Gymnasium, in Fortaleza.

 

The most-regarded player in the entire vote was Argentine Nicolás Laprovittola, a standout for Mais Querido in the championship. With 62 votes, the point guard led the NBB World election, followed by American center Jerome Meyinsse, who received 58 nominations. Both are new to the NBB. With 47 votes, coach José Neto, the reigning NBB champion, was the most voted coach and will lead the NBB Brazil team on the court.

 

"The All-Star Game is a major celebration of Brazilian basketball. The event brings together representatives from clubs in a league (NBB) that has improved each year in quality and structure. Flamengo is one of the teams with the most representatives at the event. This is the result of hard work on and off the court, and the results we've achieved so far are a reward for the club and the board, who formed our team for this season. I'm very happy to have been the coach with the most votes to be the NBB Brazil coach and to be there alongside great Brazilian players who compete in the NBB. I expect a brilliant event worthy of our Brazilian basketball," he said.

 

This year's All-Star Game will follow the same format as previous editions. On the first day (February 21.02st), the 3-Point and Slam Dunk Contests and the Skills Challenge will be held, along with a new addition that will also liven up Friday's activities. For the first time, the event will feature the All-Star Shootout, a shooting contest between trios formed by a player from the Brazilian championship, a former athlete, and a player from the LBF (Women's Basketball League).

 

The following day (February 22.02), for the fourth consecutive year, the competition's top Brazilian athletes will face the championship's top foreigners in the NBB Brazil vs. NBB World match. Without the responsibilities of a championship match, the athletes will risk many spectacular plays and put on a show of skill for the fans in a festive match.

 

With five nominees, Flamengo, along with Brasília, will be the team with the most representatives in the 2014 All-Star Game. In addition to the selected Flamengo players, point guard Gegê, centers Shilton and Cristiano Felício, and forward Marquinhos also received votes. The vote to select the players and coaching staff was conducted by the coaches and captains of the 17 teams competing in the current NBB season, as well as by the specialized press and Brazilian basketball personalities. Each category of voters was assigned a different weight: the coaches' votes represented 50% of the final result, the captains' votes 20%, and the press and personalities' votes 30%.