Photo: Gabriela Queiro / Andreoli Modo On
Photo: Gabriela Queiro / Andreoli Modo On
“I was invited to join the WNBA, but I had just had my son. I had already achieved everything I wanted. I decided to retire at my peak,” said the former athlete, emphasizing the control she always had over her career.
World champion in 1994 and silver medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Hortência is widely regarded as the greatest female basketball player in Brazil’s history. She was the first Brazilian inducted into both the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Throughout her career, she scored over 3,000 points for the national team and became known for her unique combination of skill, charisma, and leadership on and off the court.
During the conversation, Hortência recalled the day she scored 124 points in a single match at the Regional Games—a feat that earned her an unofficial record. “Our team was very strong, and we came up with a tactic just to see how far I could go. We scored 251 points, I scored 124. I didn’t make it into the Guinness Book because the game wasn’t recorded.”
She also shared behind-the-scenes stories from the silver medal run at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and highlighted the importance of other players during the national team’s golden era. “We only started winning when Janeth and Alessandra joined the team. Talking only about me and Paula isn’t fair.”
Hortência also reinforced the importance of having Paula by her side, another great player who pushed her to compete and strive for the best results.
When asked about the possibility of returning to the court or coaching the national team, she was clear: “I’ve never stepped on a court since I retired. I want the last image of me to be the 1996 Olympic final. As for coaching? I’m out.”
The videocast Andreoli Modo On is a partnership between Felipe Andreoli, Superbet, and Kwai for Business, the commercial platform of Kwai. Every week, a new episode brings the audience behind the scenes of sports and media with a light and humorous tone, available on the official "Andreoli Modo On” profile on Kwai.
Superbet
Founded in 2008 in Romania, Superbet Group is a technology and entertainment company with a mission to deliver top-tier sports and gaming entertainment. Operating in 12 countries, Superbet has been present in Brazil since 2023 and was the first company to receive a federal license to operate fully legally in the country. As the main sponsor of clubs like São Paulo F.C. and Fluminense, Superbet promotes responsible gaming practices and leads in compliance and best practices. It is a member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), a non-profit trade body representing the interests of the world's largest licensed online betting operators.
Website: https://superbet.bet.br/
Kwai and Kwai for Business
One of Brazil’s most popular free apps, Kwai enables users to easily create and share video content in an inclusive and accessible way. With the mission to let people shine, Kwai believes every little moment in life deserves to be shared. The app is available on iOS and Android, via the App Store and Google Play.
Kwai for Business is Kwai’s commercial platform, offering tools and resources for brands to create and place sponsored content on the app. With advanced technology and products, Kwai for Business supports brands’ marketing needs across different campaign stages.
Learn more at: kwai.com and www.kwai.com/business
Source: GMB
