The contract had not yet been signed, but Rafael Bábby was already there, on the sidelines during the match between Pinheiros and Paulistano, in the NBB. The center, who left Mogi das Cruzes to join the capital club, did not want to wait to get to know his new home. The next day, on Thursday, the player, 33, with a stint in the NBA, highlighted the joy of wearing the Pinheiros jersey. - It's even a dream to play for such a team, with big names. The team is assembled and I come to add. It's always important to be part of a team that will compete in the Liga das Américas, a very strong championship. It's a time to represent the Pinheiros jersey, bring joy to the club and be part of the history of this club – he said. Bábby has already trained with his teammates on Thursday. The center, who played for Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz, among others, is eager to make his debut with Pinheiros. The player regretted not being able to enter the court against Minas on Saturday. - I would have already debuted now, but we have to resolve the bureaucratic part yet. I'll be rooting for you. My desire is to want to help. I would like to travel with the team, but it won't happen. The important thing is to wait for the right moment to enter and help. I know most of the players I'll be playing against. I was very well received, I feel at home. Now it's time to help the team win more games to reach our goal – said Bábby, who was the best rebounder in the NBB last season. Pinheiros coach Claudio Mortari praised the arrival of the center. - He's an international player, who had a stint in the NBA. He was the best rebounder last season. He's easy to adapt and we hope he can develop his basketball. He's being very well received. According to the coach, Bábby will be very important in the Liga das Américas. Pinheiros will compete in the first phase against Bambuqueros (COL), Cocodrilos de Caracas (VEN) and Toros de Lara (MEX). - One of the objectives is this (Liga das Américas). In this competition, you have situations sometimes unknown, like the formations of the opponents, and Bábby comes to supply a characteristic of a strong center. We have Toyloy and now another one, at an international level. We're sure he'll have a good trajectory with Pinheiros.