MIAMI (United States) – Group B will be the last to tip off in the first stage of the Basketball Champions League Americas 2024-25. Two of South America’s biggest clubs, Brazil’s Flamengo and Argentina’s Boca Juniors, will face off for the third time in this round over the past four seasons. The Brazilians hold a 4-2 head-to-head advantage and will aim to maintain their dominance. Naturally, the Argentines will be looking to turn the tables. Both Flamengo and Boca are favored to claim the two coveted spots in the Quarterfinals, leaving the debuting Panamanian team, Toros de Chiriquí, as an underdog. A closer look at the group:
Flamengo (BRA)
Reached the finals of both the Brazilian NBB and the BCL Americas last season but had to settle for second place in each. Under coach Gustavo Conti, the goal this time is to lift at least one trophy. They currently sit second in their domestic league with a 12-3 record.
Appearances (including 2024-25): 6 Flamengo boasts a perfect attendance record in the league and is one of the most successful teams with one championship in 2021 and three second-place finishes (2020, 2023 and 2024). Players to Watch Flamengo has one of the deepest and most experienced rosters in the competition. Gui Deodato, Alexey Borges, Jhonatan Dos Santos, Kayo Manfio, Lucas Siewert, and young talent Ruan Miranda anchor the local core. Foreign reinforcements include Argentines Franco Balbi and Tayavek Gallizzi, as well Americans Shaquille Johnson and Jordan Williams. Outlook Flamengo is consistently among the title favorites in every BCL Americas edition, and this year is no exception. Highly anticipated matchups are expected in this initial stage, particularly against Boca, with whom they should contest the top spot in the group.
Boca Juniors (ARG)
Having just clinched the Argentine LNB title, Boca Juniors will aim to replicate that success on the international stage where they haven’t had much recent success. Young coach Gonzalo Pérez has the task of leading this charge, and the team’s strong start in the domestic league (10-4, fourth place) provides reason for optimism. Appearances (including 2024-25): 3 In their three BCL Americas appearances, Boca has yet to make a significant impact. They reached the Quarterfinals in their debut in 2022 but failed to advance the Group Phase last season despite being the domestic champions. Players to Watch Boca has strengthened their Argentine core with Marcos Delía, Martín Cuello, Facundo Piñero, Franco Giorgetti, and Santiago Scala, joining José Vildoza and Sebastián Vega. Colombian Andrés Ibargüen and American Thomas Cooper are the foreign reinforcements.
Outlook On paper, Boca is well-positioned to advance to the next round and could even challenge Flamengo for the top spot. However, they have much to prove in this competition.
Toros de Chiriquí (PAN)
Toros topped the regular season of the Panamanian LPB with an 8-2 record and were in the midst of the Finals against Correcaminos de Colón prior to their BCL Americas debut. Appearances (including 2024-25): 1 Will become the second Panamanian team to compete in the top continental tournament, following Caballos de Coclé in Season 2. Players to Watch Key members of the Panamanian national team like Amílcar Sánchez, Guillermo Navarro, and Alejandro Grant are the team’s mainstays. Veteran Jaime Lloreda, a former national team standout, also features. Guard Greg Foster is the foreign reinforcement (at the time of this report).
Outlook With two formidable opponents in the group, Toros face a challenging task. However, the experience gained in this competition will be invaluable for the franchise’s future growth. FIBA