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The incredible history of the Brazilian 3×3 team

Basketball played on one rim where three players play against three other players doesn’t have to be very interesting to the average spectator at first sight. If he continues watching more carefully this sport there can be new insight.

3×3 basketball is special because it gives opportunity to everybody. Poorer regions in the countries often produce massive talents in this tremendous game. It doesn’t happen by accident because those boys in the majority of cases are more eager to succeed on the international scene.

An excellent example of this is the Brazilian 3×3 national team and their history is super thrilling. You can find out more about their growth in the next couple of paragraphs.

Which was the first competition for the Brazilian national squad in 3×3?

Brazil appeared for the first time in 3×3 in the tournament held in Athens in 2012. World Cup was a huge chance for Brazilian players to show the whole world what they are capable of. Zandonaide LimaJoao Marcos Lima CostaCarlos Silva Jr., and Yannik Soares represented this team at the planetary championship.

The Brazilian team competed with Russia, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, and Estonia. They finished in the last place in the group stage with five losses.

How far did Brazil go in the second World Cup?

The South American country qualified for the second edition of the planetary championship which was held in Russia in 2014. Gustavo BraccoMarcos Vinicius Inacio, Douglas Motta, and Davi Rosseto were members of the Brazilian roster. Brazil came with high hopes and wanted to improve their game and result from their debut appearance in the World Cup.

This team played in group C with Estonia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Turkey. They ended the pool phase with one win and four defeats. Gustavo Bracco and colleagues didn’t participate in the elimination stage as they ended in sixth place in the group’s standings.

What was the Brazilian result in the 2018 World Cup?

Two disappointing results at the World Cup were behind Brazil and a new chance appeared in the planetary championship held in the Philippines. William EvangelistaMarcellus Sarmento, Carlos Silva Jr, and Luiz Soriani were invited to the Brazilian national squad.

Brazil competed in pool C along with Canada, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Russia. They suffered four defeats out of four games and were eliminated from further competition. It caused desperation among Brazilian players and fans of this big South American country. The heroes of our story needed to think about new tactics before new challenges.

What was the next challenge for the heroes of our story?

The Brazilian roster for the 2019 World Cup in Amsterdam was changed radically. Felipe Camargo, Jonatas Mello, Jefferson Socas, and William Weihermann were members of this squad. South-American countries hoped that with new names they can pass the group stage for the first time in their history.

Brazil had opponents Poland, Latvia, Australia, and Japan in group D. Unfortunately, Felipe Camargo and friends were defeated in all four games in the pool and ended the tournament early. History repeated one more time and it was time for the reconstruction of the strategy.

What happened at Olympic 3×3 Qualification tournament?

The heroes of our story tried to earn a ticket for the first-ever Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2022. They came to a qualification tournament in Austria in May of 2021 in an attempt to surprise the favorites.

The Brazilian team in the competition in Austria included Andre FerrosJonatas MelloJefferson Socas, and Fabricio Verissimo. Brazil played against Poland, Mongolia, Turkey, and the Czech Republic in group A.

South American country won against the Czech Republic, Mongolia, and Turkey. The game against Poland was lost and the second place in the pool was taken.

Andre Ferros and his teammates qualified for the quarterfinals where they were defeated by France with 21-19. The dream about participating in the Olympics crashed all of a sudden.

What was the result of the Brazilian squad at the first-ever AmeriCup?

First-ever continental championship of America was held in 2021 in Miami, Florida. Brazil got the right to compete with the best countries in that continent. The team members in that competition were Leonardo BranquinhoAndre FerrosJefferson Socas, and William Weihermann.

The Brazilian roster was in group C with Jamaica and Chile and they won both games. Andre Ferros and friends faced Mexico in the quarterfinals and won with 20-13. Brazil beat the Dominican Republic with 20-15 in the semifinal. USA pulled out a victory 21-15 in the final game over the heroes of our story.

How was the final game between USA and Brazil in AmeriCup 2021?

Brazil showed huge big resilience in the fixture for the gold medal against the mighty USA. There were lots of tied scores in the first five minutes of the game. Andre Ferros and the guys even had a 13-12 advantage, but could not stand the last pressure of the hosts.

The USA simply had more players in a good mood on the roster in that game. Heroes of this story could be proud of what they have achieved in the first-ever AmeriCup.

Here is a full final game:

What was the next step in Brazilian 3×3 history?

Andre FerrosRenato ScholzFabrizio Verissimo, and William Weihermann were playing for Brazil in the 2022 World Cup in Antwerp, Belgium city. Brazil was tired of disappointments in big competitions in previous years and had a high desire to achieve something big.

They fought for quarterfinals with France, Serbia, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico in group A. Andre Ferros and colleagues won against France and lost to New Zealand, Serbia, and Puerto Rico. The ticket for the quarterfinal was not earned as they finished in the last place in the group.

How was the Brazilian performance at the second 2022 AmeriCup?

Leonardo BranquinhoAndre Ferros, Jonatas Mello, and William Weihermann were invited to the Brazilian squad in Miami, Florida in 2022. They aimed to win the contest although the host USA participated.

Leonardo Branquinho and his teammates were in group A with USA and Guatemala. The Brazilian roster lost to the USA with 19-15 and won against Guatemala with 21-14. It was enough for second place in the pool and qualification for the quarterfinal.

Brazil won against Canada in the quarterfinal with 16-13 and was defeated with 21-15 against Brazil in the semi.

However, South American country pulled out a 21-9 in a game for the bronze medal. 

Who is the most interesting 3×3 player from Brazil?

Leandro Souza de Lima is the most intriguing player in Brazilian 3×3 history. He is well-known because of his work ethic, 3×3 basketball talent, and contribution to the success of many 3×3 clubs. Souza de Lima took part in three World Tour Finals with three different teams. Those are Sau Paulo, New Delhi, Lausanne, etc.

He experienced hard childhood in Brazilian dangerous favelas and grew into an excellent player. His dream is to represent Brazil in Olympic Games, the greatest sports event in the world.

Dark streets in Brazil have produced a lot of extraordinary players that play in the most popular 3×3 teams in the world. Those difficulties made them stronger in their development over years. These players learned to train hard and persist in their goals and desires.

The Brazilian team didn’t win still any major tournament in this incredibly thrilling sport, but we cannot count them off from future successes.

The reason for that statement is the dedication and commitment of Brazilian players to be at their best. It’s, for sure, something we should appreciate and evaluate. We hope that this South American country will reach its potential soon.

About the author

Marjan Nikolic

Passionate sports guy, coming from the eastern Europe where best basketball is played (yeah, I know you will not agree!). Dynamic 3x3 basket has special place in my heart.

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