Maozinha Pereira

Maozinha Pereira's Biography

João Marcello Cardoso Pereira, born on the 28th of August, 2000, is professionally known as Mãozinha Pereira or simply Mãozinha. Born and raised in Brazil, this talented athlete is recognized for his outstanding performances on the basketball court.

Mãozinha’s career journey is one that follows a path of determination, resilience, and continuous growth. His exploits on the court began with the Brazilian team, Pinheiros, in the Novo Basquete Brasil league. Despite only playing four games with the team, his performances displayed a level of talent that resulted in him being signed with the Crn Drim in Macedonia. In the Macedonian First League, his skills shone brighter as he averaged 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

August 2021 marked a significant milestone in Pereira’s remarkable journey. He returned to his homeland to play for another Novo Basquete Brasil team, Cearense. His game evolved during this time, achieving an average of 13.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Following the 2022 NBA draft, Mãozinha remained undrafted. His resilience led him to sign with Corinthians Novo Basquete Brasil, playing the 2022-2023 season with them. The season saw him average 11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.

Unfazed by the ups and downs of his career, Mãozinha continued to play with a hunger for success. His determination led him to join the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League in October 2023. By January 2024, he scored a career-high of 19 points, bolstered by 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in a game against the Wisconsin Herd. This achievement earned him a spot in the G League dunk contest where he finished in third place.

The 20th of March, 2024 was a significant day in Mãozinha’s life. He signed a 10-day contract with the illustrious NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Making his debut at a young age and scoring two points for his team against the Golden State Warriors marked a critical point in his career.

His debut made him the 20th Brazilian ever to grace the prestigious NBA courts. Filled with ambition and drive, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Grizzlies.

Fate had a different path for Mãozinha. Despite re-signing with the Grizzlies in September 2024, his journey took a twist when he was waived by the team in October. However, not allowing this setback to disrupt his dreams, he joined the Memphis Hustle on October 28th.

Mãozinha Pereira is not just your average basketball player. He exemplifies resilience, passion, hard work, and an unwavering drive to succeed. His basketball journey, from the courts of Brazil to Macedonia and Mexico, finally leading to the dream destination of every basketball player – the NBA – is a testament to his relentless pursuit of a lifelong dream.