Cotton, the root of red-black basketball

Flamengo has a storied history in basketball, marked by idols and achievements that helped build the club's winning tradition. Names like Oscar Schmidt, Olivinha, and Marcelinho Machado are immortalized in the fans' memories, each with their own importance and legacy. But before them, it was Zenny de Azevedo, known as Algodão, who was the first great idol of Flamengo basketball. A pioneer and victorious player, he paved the way for generations of stars and helped place the club among the giants of the sport in Brazil.

On Friday (28), when the Pride of the Nation takes the court against Pato Basquete, at Tijuca Tênis Clube, the team will not only carry its tradition and colors. On the hem of the Manto, a special patch will celebrate Algodão's 100th birthday, which, if he were alive, would have turned a century old on Saturday (1). More than a tribute, it is a recognition of the one who planted the seed of a winning sport.

Oscar Schmidt, one of the greatest players of all time and a former player for the Mais Querido team, was full of praise when talking about his Mengão idol. "Cotton was one of the most important people in the history of our basketball; he was the man. I talked to him a lot; he was an incredible person. One of the best players on the two-time World Cup-winning team, he had a huge influence on subsequent generations."

Algodão joined Flamengo in 1947. During his successful tenure, he won 14 state titles—and witnessed the club's dominance from the court, winning ten consecutively. He was also the first Flamengo athlete to win an Olympic medal, winning bronze at the 1948 London Games, which he repeated in Rome in 1960. In 1953, he was part of the squad that won the club's first international title, the South American Championship in Antofagasta, Chile. With the national team, he was part of the golden generation of Brazilian basketball, winning the 1959 World Cup. His story is not only about victories, but also about paving the way for new times and idols. 

Norminha, a leading figure in Brazilian women's basketball and a Flamengo fan, saw the star up close at Gávea. "I had tremendous admiration for Algodão; he worked miracles on the court. He was a player who made an impression on me while playing for Flamengo. His skill, his drive, his desire... I remember him saying, 'That's right, Norminha, you have to fight, you have to score, you have to score. That's how you'll be a great player.'"

Time passed, new players arrived, and the seed planted by Algodão grew and bore fruit. Today, Flamengo is proud to be one of the greatest powers in South American basketball, collecting national and international titles. Every trophy lifted, every decisive basket scored, every player who dons the red-and-black jersey pays tribute to those who came before.

Pedrinho, the player who wore the Regata Sagrada the most times in the history of FlaBasquete, played alongside and was coached by Algodão, and considered him a role model. "Much of my desire to play and defend Flamengo was based on the passion and love Algodão had. He truly embodied this feeling and instilled in us a desire to win for our beloved team."

On Friday, when Flamengo's athletes take to the court, they will be representing Algodão's legacy, imprinted on their uniforms, reflected in their memories, and, above all, alive in the club's essence. Some names transcend time and become part of history. Algodão is one of them.