Getting to know Group C: Clash of titans and a new team on the block

MIAMI (United States) – After combing through Groups A and B, it’s time to analyze Group C. This zone has a team making its debut, Hebraica Macabi, and two continental powerhouses: Boca Juniors and Flamengo, setting the table for some great matchups.

Hebraica Macabi (URU) 

They’re coming off their 4th Uruguayan League crown (2011-12, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2022-23). This last title was particularly rewarding because several other teams started as favorites. In the current LUB season, they’ve been playing .500 ball (at the time of publication), but they’ve shown how dangerous they can be.

Appearances (including 2023-24): 1
They’ll be making their BCL Americas debut but boast plenty of experience at the international level. They played at Liga Sudamericana in 2012, 2016 and 2017, and saw action at Liga de las Americas (2017 and 2018), the previous iteration of this event.

Head Coach: Leonardo Zylberstein
He returned to the organization during last season’s LUB and came back with a bang, leading them to the national title. Hebraica Macabi was the team that gave him his first head coaching job and he then moved to Nacional for 3 years before his glorious return. He’ll now try to expand his winning resume at the international level.

2023-24 Roster:
Joaquín Aszyn Marcora
Santiago Calimares
Juan Ducasse
Brian García
Golan Gutt
Federico Haller
Franklin Louis Hassell
Ernesto Oglivie
Luciano Parodi
Manuel Romero
Lautaro Viatri
Jordan Williams

Outlook:
On paper, they’re the weakest team in the group as they’ll be facing a couple of continental giants. However, they won’t be an easy opponent for anyone despite their lack of experience. A roster featuring Parodi, Oglivie, Ducasse, Gutt and Williams will give Boca and Flamengo plenty of pause.

Boca Jrs. (ARG) 

They had an up-and-down last season at LNB, with a coaching change included, but recovered to reach the Finals, where they lost to Quimsa. During the current campaign, with most of their roster still intact, they haven’t looked dominant (7-5 record at the time of publication), but still have plenty of time to get going.

Appearances (including 2023-24): 2
They’re back at the most prestigious continental event after their appearance in 2021-22, where they reached the quarterfinals. Last year, they took part in Liga Sudamericana, where they swept through the Group Stage before being eliminated in the Round of 8 with a 1-2 record.

Head Coach: Carlos Duro
He was one of the biggest reasons for their revival last season, despite their loss in the LNB Finals. Duró replaced Gonzalo García and with him at the helm, the team took off. This season of BCLA will likely show the team’s true potential.

2023-24 Roster:
Raven Barber
Nicolás Burgos
José Defelippo
Juan Guerrero
Leonardo Mainoldi
Marcos Mata
Tiziano Prome
Manuel Rodríguez
Carlos Leonel Schattmann
Tomás Sonnaillon
Nicolpas Stenta
Martín Torriani
Sebastián Vega
José Vildoza

Outlook:
They’re expected to get through the first round, but things could get dicey after that. They feature veterans like Mata, Mainoldi and Schattmann, while José Vildoza will run the offense after exchanging teams with Franco Balbi, who returned to Flamengo.

Flamengo (BRA) 

Flamengo is one of the region’s giants thanks to what they’ve accomplished at every level. They boast 7 domestic titles and a couple of Intercontinental Cups (2014, 2022), but last season they went home empty-handed after losing in the BCL Americas Finals and the NBB semifinals. That will have them hungry for titles this season, where they’re currently atop their domestic league at the time of publication.

Appearances (including 2023-24): 5
This is one of the teams with perfect attendance at this competition (along with Real Estelí and Quimsa). They won the title in Season 2 and have reached the finals on two other occasions (2019-20 and 2022-23).

Head Coach: Gustavo Conti
He’s been at the helm for 6 seasons and has been a key part of their recent successes, including the continental and intercontinental titles. The 43-year-old coach is also coming off a 13th place finish with Brazil at this year’s FIBA World Cup in Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

2023-24 Roster:
Franco Balbi
Martín Cuello
Caio De Moraes Brandāo
Gui Deodato
N'Tio Modibo Diarra
Emanuel Fernandes
Marco Filipovity
Gabriel Galvanini
Matheus Gueiros
Matheus Leoni
Didi Louzada
Kayo San-Thiago Manfio Goncalves
Felipe Motta
Carlos Olivinha
Michael Porto Machado
Maique Tavares

Outlook:
It’d be impossible to leave them out of the shortlist of candidates thanks to their extensive resume. They also have a deep and talented roster, featuring domestic stars like Louzada, Galvanini, Gui Deodato and Olivinha, plus Argentinian stalwarts Balbi and Cuello.

FIBA