Fla renews with six, but still negotiates with Marcelinho, Baby, Duda and Hélio

NBB champion agrees to keep Fred, Jefferson, Wagner, Alírio, Coloneze and coach Chupeta and considers invitations to friendlies in Europe

GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro

Marcelinho, NBB standout, still awaits a response from Flamengo's president

Flamengo, champion of the New Brazilian Basketball Association (NBB), has renewed contracts with Fred, Jefferson, Coloneze, Wagner, Alírio, and coach Paulo Chupeta for another season. Four of the team's key players, however, are still in negotiations: Marcelinho, the championship's best player, Rafael Araújo, known as Baby, Duda, and Hélio. According to team supervisor André Guimarães, Flamengo made an offer to Hélio and is awaiting a response. Baby and Marcelinho's situation depends on a decision by club president Márcio Braga. Duda's is reportedly 95% settled. - Their case (Baby and Marcelinho) is with the president because they have longer and more expensive contracts. The next NBB season begins on August 25th, and teams have until August 31st to register. Flamengo will also compete in the Rio de Janeiro State Championship and has qualified for the South American League and the League of the Americas. According to coach Chupeta, Flamengo is considering invitations to play friendlies in Spain, the Netherlands, and France. "Our focus is maintaining a strong squad because we'll be competing in tough competitions ahead. We have many invitations to tour Europe, but these proposals are still being analyzed by the club's board," he said.