Rafael Estevão "Rafa" Hettsheimeir (born June 16, 1986) is a Brazilian-Spanish^[1][2] professional basketball player who currently plays for Flamengo in the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) and the BCL Americas. He was also member of the Brazilian national basketball team.

Quick Facts No. 30 – Flamengo, Position ...

Rafael Hettsheimeir

Hettsheimeir, while playing with Málaga, in 2013.
No. 30 – Flamengo
Position	Center
League	NBB BCL Americas
Personal information
Born	(1986-06-16) June 16, 1986 (age 37) Araçatuba, Brazil
Nationality	Brazilian / Spanish
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
NBA draft	2008: undrafted
Playing career	2003–present
Career history
2003–2005	COC/Ribeirão Preto
2005–2007	Vic
2007–2009	Plus Pujol Lleida
2009–2012	CAI Zaragoza
2009–2010	→ Obradoiro CAB
2012–2013	Real Madrid
2013–2014	Unicaja
2014–2017	Bauru
2017	Fuenlabrada
2017	Santeros de Aguada
2017–2018	Bauru
2018–2020	Franca
2020–present	Flamengo
Career highlights and awards
BCL Americas MVP (2021) Spanish League champion (2013) FIBA Americas League champion (2015) BCL Americas champion (2021) FIBA South American League champion (2014) 3× All-Brazilian League Team (2015, 2016, 2018) NBB All-Star Three-Point champion (2018)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Brazil FIBA AmeriCup 2005 Santo Domingo 2011 Mar del Plata Pan American Games 2015 Toronto

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Hettsheimeir started his senior career in Brazil with Ribeirão Preto, with whom he played from 2003 to 2005. In 2006, he moved to Spain and signed with Akasvayu Vic of the LEB Plata. After two seasons with Vic, he moved to Plus Pujol Lleida of the LEB Oro where he stayed for two seasons.

In the summer of 2009, Hettsheimeir signed with CAI Zaragoza. On November 13, 2009, he was loaned to Obradoiro CAB for three months.^[3] On February 11, 2010, he returned to CAI Zaragoza.^[4] On May 27, 2010, he signed a new two-year contract with Zaragoza.^[5]

On October 30, 2012, Hettsheimeir signed with Real Madrid.^[6] With Real he won the 2012–13 ACB championship. After one season, he parted ways with Real.^[7] On August 15, 2013, Hettsheimeir signed a two-year deal with Unicaja.^[8] After one season, he left Unicaja and returned to Brazil where he signed with Bauru.^[9]

On January 26, 2017, Hettsheimeir signed with Montakit Fuenlabrada for the rest of the 2016–17 ACB season.^[10] In June 2017, he signed with Santeros de Aguada of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.^[11]

After a couple of seasons playing in Franca, Rafael signed Flamengo Basket for NBB and FIBA America League.

As a member of the Brazilian national basketball team he won the gold medal at the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship. He also won a silver medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship.