LAS VEGAS (United States) – The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas recently came to an end, and among the standout representatives from the Americas was Brazilian forward Joao Marcello Pereira, better known as “Maozinha.” The 24-year-old made his NBA debut with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season and is now attempting to prove himself with the Chicago Bulls. He has been pro for about eight years, so he is eager to take on new challenges with significant maturity and leadership to help his teammates transition straight from college or from just turning pro. "When I was with the Grizzlies, that was my first time being part of an NBA team, and everything was new. I was still figuring out stuff and trying to learn what I could add to the organization,” Pereira told FIBA Americas. "Now, with the Bulls, I see things differently. I’m not a rookie anymore—well, technically I still kind of am—but I’ve had NBA minutes, which a lot of guys on this team haven’t yet. So my role has changed a lot and is more of a leadership one—helping my teammates adjust and transition to the NBA while still working hard to earn my own spot… I take that responsibility seriously,” he added. Pereira averaged 10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks over three games in this 2025 Summer League.
Pereira has followed a different path than most players who reach the NBA. He started in Brazil’s NBB, playing for clubs like Pinheiros, Cearense, and Corinthians. He also had a stint in the Macedonian league, then landed in the G-League with the Mexico City Capitanes. He was later called up by the Grizzlies to the NBA and spent the past two seasons with their affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. Earlier in March of this year, he joined Club Nacional in Uruguay and won a championship before suiting up with Chicago. This wide range of experiences has given him a unique perspective on the game. "It’s been a crazy couple of years for me, but I treasure it a lot,” he reflected. "The amount of basketball that I managed to experience at many different levels—from the NBB in Brazil, to Europe, to now the NBA. The amount of people that I’ve met who are wonderful people—the amount of basketball that I’ve learned, and so I’m just grateful for that.”
Proud to wear "verde amarelo"
Beyond his club responsibilities, Pereira has also been a consistent presence on Brazil’s national team over the past two years. He represented his country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and in the qualifying windows for the FIBA AmeriCup 2025.
He credits the people of Brazil for making him feel so warm and welcome when he plays at home. But mostly for making him feel like he is also fighting for something bigger than himself. "It is such an honor to be honest. I believe we now have over 200 million people, and to be one of the few to represent Brazil at the highest level is something I’m extremely proud of,” he explained. I wasn’t just representing me, my family, or what I practice for—but a whole country. So I’m filled with gratitude first of all, for them recognizing me, and I feel so proud being a part of this country.” His connection to the national team is also shaped by strong friendships, such as the bond he shares with Gui Santos, another Brazilian currently playing in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. One of his most emotional memories was exchanging jerseys with Santos after facing each other in a game. “It felt like a scene from a movie. Two Brazilians in the NBA, in one of our first games, swapping jerseys after. That moment is one of my favorite memories; it’s still one of my top posts on Instagram. It reminds me of our close friendship, but it also reminds me how much the game means to me. Not just the sport itself, but the culture behind it— the friendships, the travel, the people you meet. It’s way more than just basketball.”
Throughout his journey, Pereira has relied on a strong support system, especially from his family and his wife, who has been with him since the early stages of his career. “Since we got married, we haven’t lived in Brazil for more than a year. It’s been crazy, but she’s always been there. My family supports me and visits whenever they can. And I’ve stayed in touch with the friends I’ve made along the way. Without all of them, I wouldn’t be here,” he said. These past two years have been remarkable for the Rio de Janeiro native, with his NBA debut and his participation in the Olympics. However, his journey also brought valuable lessons he hopes young players can take heed to because not every moment has been easy. "The most important thing is consistency and resilience. It’s easy to be happy after a good game or when you win a championship. But it’s tough to stay motivated when you lose one, or when you have a bad game or get injured. Those are the moments people don’t talk about, but they’ve taught me the most,” he said. Whether in the NBA or any other league or setting, Pereira still has plenty to offer. One of the upcoming challenges this summer is the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. The Brazilian Basketball Confederation included him in its preliminary 16-man roster for the tournament. It remains unknown if he’ll make the final roster, but he would love to share the court again with his national teammates. “One of the best things about the summer is that we have more time to train together and build chemistry. For me, that’s one of the best parts of the season. It gives meaning to everything we go through during the year.” FIBA