Gustavo: Go-time on Players' Commission; memories of 'Magic Paula' and the Brazilian legends

MIES (Switzerland) - Former Olympic Finalist and FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup champion Roseli Gustavo is ready to make inroads with the FIBA Players' Commission and has been reviewing a super career.

On the international stage with Brazil, Gustavo was able to play her part in her country's greatest ever team. That came during the truly halcyon days, when an eye-popping glut of legends all took to the floor together.

It was a truly golden generation and it delivered results, with Gustavo appearing at three editions of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and famously landing gold at the 1994 event in Australia.

Gustavo played on what is widely recognized as the greatest ever Brazil team

It was a historic first ever victory for her country as they stood atop of the World for the first-time, beating China in the title game.  Their success was founded on the spectacular work of Hortencia Marcari, a baller who many argue to this day, is the unrivaled women's basketball GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). Other FIBA Hall of Famers were on board too, including Janeth Arcain and 'Magic Paula' Goncalves da Silva.

"That Brazil team was really talented and I have a lot of good memories and everyone in the team was pushing to put Brazil at the top of the world and that is what they did," smiled Gustavo.

"In the 1990's we won almost everything– the Pan-American tournaments and the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, while we were second in the Olympics and I was really happy to be part of that team at that time, " she added.

Brazil are back on the rise again after capturing a sixth Women's AmeriCup title last year

Brazil are a team back in the spotlight on the women's big stage with a big high last year when they set a new record for the number of FIBA Women's AmeriCup titles won.

It means that Brazil are on the rise again, although recapturing the glory days of Gustavo and Co. still feels like an unattainable target - even if they do have several reasons to be confident and excited to make it to this year's showpiece Games in France. 

She said: "It will be really difficult to ever put a team out in a Brazil vest ever again with that level of players we had back then."

Brazilian legends including Janeth Arcain, Hortencia and 'Magic' Paula with her trademark headband

While Gustavo is exceptionally happy to see her country heading back towards the global top table again for the first time since Rio 2016, she has to accept that the team is talented but doesn't have the kind of iconic player that she was fortunate enough to play alongside. 

She insisted: "It is very difficult trying to even choose any of my favorite teammates from the past, but 'Magic Paula' was very, very special.

"That was also because I played in the same club for 10 years and started playing with her when we were just 15-years-old and and then continued this for the next decade."

Gustavo serves on the FIBA Players' Commission who have started the 2023-27 term

As well as keeping a close eye on this new crop of Brazilian talent looking to shine, Gustavo is excited to join the FIBA Players' Commission for the 2023-2027 term. She has already attended a successful first meeting and is ready to lend her vast experience to help improve the sport. 

"I am very happy to join the FIBA Players' Commission and to meet all the great athletes there," she stated. 

"I really want to contribute to the Players' Commission and to basketball, in order to help make the whole sport better - all the way from kids basketball and right up to the senior level," concluded Gustavo.

FIBA