Pinheiros secured a spot in the NBB semifinals last Saturday, marking their first appearance at this stage since the 2016/17 season, when they lost to Bauru in a comeback defeat.
The São Paulo-based team has been enjoying an incredible campaign. They finished the first round as leaders, were runners-up in the Copa Super 8, and now, with their semifinal qualification, have already guaranteed a spot in a continental tournament next season. If they reach the finals, they will compete in the BCLA; if they fall in the semis, they will head to the Liga Sul-Americana.
Several factors have contributed to Pinheiros’ success, including two consecutive playoff sweeps against Rio Claro and Paulistano. However, three key elements stand out: youth development, Sloan, and Gustavinho.
As is tradition within the club’s sports programs, the team has been nurturing young talents. Players like Agapy, Pastre, and Edu Santos have shown notable improvement in every game. Agapy recorded a double-double in the third quarterfinal game with 17 points and 11 rebounds, playing a crucial role in securing the victory that clinched the series. He was also the top scorer in Game 1 against Rio Claro during the round of 16.
Edu Santos joined the team mid-season but quickly proved his talent, mirroring his older brother’s skills. He started playing in February and adapted seamlessly, shooting 53% from the field and becoming a decisive force in the paint.
Pinheiros has so many under-23 standouts that they dominated the young stars team at the All-Star Game, with four players representing the blue-and-black squad: Agapy, Cauã Pacheco, Felipe Gregate, and Pedro Pastre. The club’s youth development efforts were further validated when Pinheiros won the U-19 Brazilian Interclub Championship over the weekend, with Edu Santos named MVP and Pedro Pastre recognized as the best player in the final.
Beyond the young talents, the team features an American guard who has been tearing up the NBB: Sloan. He won the All-Star Game as part of Team Shamell and leads all remaining playoff players in scoring with 677 points, averaging 15.4 per game. Sloan was the top scorer in Games 1 and 2 against Paulistano, including a 27-point performance in the opener.
Making it all work is head coach Gustavinho, whose extensive work with the team has validated the club’s decision to hire him. He has previously won the NBB title with Flamengo and Paulistano, providing veteran guidance for the young players while organizing the squad. Working with younger players is part of his coaching philosophy. “I worked with youth categories for many years. I love putting the kids on the court and developing them. For me, it’s a huge pleasure to help in their growth,” Gustavinho said in a December interview.
Pinheiros has suffered just eight losses so far in the tournament, all during the regular season. In the next round, they will face the winner of the series between Minas and Corinthians (currently 2-1 in favor of the São Paulo team). With their strong form, Pinheiros emerges as a serious contender for their first-ever NBB title.