Mãozinha Pereira Bio
João Marcello Cardoso Pereira, commonly known as Mãozinha Pereira, is a Brazilian professional basketball player for Manisa Basket of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). Born on 28 August 2000 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he plays the power forward and center positions. Listed at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 177 lb (80 kg), Mãozinha has built his career across Brazil, North Macedonia, Mexico, and the United States. He wears the number 45 for Manisa Basket and is recognized for his scoring and rebounding ability in the paint.
After spending time in the NBA G League, Mãozinha made his NBA debut with the Memphis Grizzlies in March 2024, becoming the 20th Brazilian to appear in an NBA game. His professional journey reflects steady development through multiple leagues, with each stop adding to his résumé as a physical interior player.
Early Life and Background
Mãozinha Pereira was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 28 August 2000. Growing up in one of South America’s most passionate basketball countries, he developed his game in a culture that has produced several NBA talents. His physical profile, already sizable during his teenage years, made him a natural fit for frontcourt positions.
He began his competitive career in the Brazilian youth system before joining Pinheiros of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), the top professional league in Brazil. The early stage of his development was shaped by competing against experienced professionals in a demanding domestic league, which helped him refine his post skills and rebounding instincts. By the time he was ready to move abroad, he had already established himself as one of Brazil’s promising young big men.
Path to Professional Basketball
Mãozinha’s path to professional basketball began with Pinheiros Basquete during the 2019–2020 NBB season, where he appeared in four games and gained his first exposure to top-level senior competition. That limited role was enough to attract international interest, and he made the jump to Europe by signing with Crn Drim of the Macedonian First League for the 2020–2021 campaign.
At Crn Drim, Mãozinha’s production rose sharply, as he averaged 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Those numbers confirmed his readiness for a larger role and led him back to Brazil, where he joined Cearense of the NBB for the 2021–2022 season. With Cearense, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals, establishing himself as one of the most productive rebounders in the league and a candidate for the 2022 NBA draft.
Mãozinha Pereira Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Mãozinha began his professional career with Pinheiros Basquete of the Novo Basquete Brasil, where he played four games during the 2019–2020 season. The brief stint served as a launching pad for his first international move. He then signed with Crn Drim of the Macedonian First League, where his averages of 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds showed that he could produce at a high level overseas.
Returning to Brazil, he spent the 2021–2022 season with Cearense of the NBB, averaging 13.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. His all-around production in Cearense helped him enter the 2022 NBA draft as a prospect, although he ultimately went undrafted.
Corinthians Era (2022–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Mãozinha joined Corinthians of the Novo Basquete Brasil for the 2022–2023 season. Playing a central role in the frontcourt, he averaged 11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, demonstrating consistent rim protection and finishing around the basket.
His season with Corinthians further raised his profile and prepared him for the next step in his career. The combination of rebounding, shot-blocking, and scoring made him an attractive option for teams in the Americas, and he was soon on the move to a higher-visibility league.
Mexico City Capitanes Era (2023–2024)
On 30 October 2023, Mãozinha signed with the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League, marking his entry into the official NBA development pipeline. The opportunity to play against rising American and international talent represented a major step in his career progression.
His best performance came on 12 January 2024, when he scored a career-high 19 points while adding 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks against the Wisconsin Herd. On 31 January 2024, he was selected to participate in the G League dunk contest, where he finished in third place, gaining additional visibility among NBA scouts.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2024)
On 20 March 2024, Mãozinha signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, earning his first call-up to the NBA roster. He made his debut in a 137–116 loss to the Golden State Warriors, playing just over five minutes and scoring two points. That appearance made him the 20th Brazilian player in NBA history.
On 30 March 2024, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Grizzlies, extending his time with the organization. Although his NBA minutes were limited, the stint confirmed that he belonged at the highest level of competition.
Memphis Hustle Era (2024–2025)
On 6 September 2024, Mãozinha re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, but was waived on 19 October. Three days later, on 28 October, he joined the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, for the 2024–2025 season. There, he continued to develop his game and contribute as a frontcourt presence.
Manisa Basket Era (2025–Present)
On 25 July 2025, Mãozinha signed with Manisa Basket of the Basketbol Süper Ligi, the top professional league in Turkey. The move gave him a chance to compete at a high level in Europe while serving as a key piece in Manisa’s frontcourt rotation.
Playing Style and Strengths
Mãozinha Pereira is recognized for his physical interior play, particularly his rebounding, shot-blocking, and scoring in the paint. His size and strength allow him to battle effectively against larger opponents, while his mobility enables him to run the floor in transition. As a power forward and center, he combines traditional post skills with active hands on defense, making him a two-way contributor for his team.
Notable Events and Milestones
A signature moment in Mãozinha’s career came on 12 January 2024, when he posted 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks against the Wisconsin Herd. He is also recognized as the 20th Brazilian to play in the NBA, a milestone he reached on his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies in March 2024. His selection for the 2024 G League dunk contest further highlighted his athleticism.
Mãozinha Pereira Career Wins
Across the Novo Basquete Brasil, Macedonian First League, NBA G League, NBA, and BSL, Mãozinha Pereira has built a résumé defined more by consistent production than by championship trophies. He has been a reliable double-digit scorer and rebounder at every professional stop, with his 2024 NBA debut standing as the most notable individual achievement of his career to date.
League Highlights
During his time in the Macedonian First League with Crn Drim, Mãozinha averaged 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds. He matched that scoring average with Cearense in the NBB, adding 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. With Corinthians, he added 1.2 blocks per game to a 11.2-point, 9.8-rebound stat line.
Other Performances
In the NBA G League, Mãozinha set a career high with 19 points against the Wisconsin Herd in January 2024 and finished third in the G League dunk contest the same month. His NBA debut with the Memphis Grizzlies added two points to his professional total and made him the 20th Brazilian to play in the league.
Mãozinha Pereira Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Publicly available information about Mãozinha Pereira’s family background and personal life is limited. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and grew up surrounded by the country’s strong basketball tradition. Details about his parents, spouse, and children have not been publicly confirmed through verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Mãozinha Pereira as he joins Manisa Basket of the Basketbol Süper Ligi following his 2024–2025 stint with the Memphis Hustle. After spending the previous two seasons in the NBA G League system, his move to Turkey represents an opportunity to take on a more prominent role in a top European league.
At Manisa, Mãozinha is expected to contribute as a physical presence in the paint, using his rebounding and shot-blocking to anchor the team’s interior defense. His scoring and finishing around the basket should also be central to the team’s offensive plans.
As the season progresses, Mãozinha will look to build on the momentum of his G League performances and his historic NBA debut, establishing himself as a reliable contributor for Manisa Basket in the BSL.