There's also a red-and-black on the coaching staff of the Brazilian basketball team! Fitness coach Bruno Nicolaci and Mais Querido's medical coordinator, Claudio Cardone, were called up by the Brazilian basketball federation and are part of the team competing in the AmeriCup qualifiers.

Nicolaci and Cardone are part of the multidisciplinary team at the Unified Center for Identification and Development of Performance Athletes (CUIDAR). The center has more than 40 healthcare professionals dedicated to the physical and mental well-being of those who defend the Sacred Mantle. For Sports Science Manager Izabel Miranda, the call-up of the red-and-blacks reflects the excellent work carried out by the club.

"The CBB's call-up of two CUIDAR professionals for the AmeriCup basketball qualifiers reflects the recognition of the excellence of the preventive and recovery programs developed by the multidisciplinary team, which allow for better athlete performance and are an important ally in the recent results achieved by the Flamengo basketball team," analyzed Izabel. 

Players Jhonatan Luz, Leo Demetrio and Rafael Mineiro represent the country in the AmeriCup qualifiers, which will begin this Friday (21). Brazil faces Uruguay in the opening game, at 19:30 pm, in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná. The national team is in Group B with Panama and Paraguay, in addition to the Uruguayans.