In memory: Wlamir Marques, basketball legend at Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·25 Desember 2025

In memory: Wlamir Marques, basketball legend at Corinthians

By the Editorial Team of Central do Timão

Corinthians is a multi-sport club, and therefore, its idols don't just come from football. They emerge from pools, octagons, and courts. One of them is Wlamir Marques, an icon of Corinthians and national basketball, who lends his name to the gymnasium at Parque São Jorge and made history wearing the black and white jersey. In this article, Central do Timão recalls the former athlete's time at the club.

Arrival at Corinthians

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Wlamir Marques began his professional career very young, at just 16 years old, playing for XV de Piracicaba. In 1962, at 25, he was signed to play for Corinthians, where he stayed for 10 years. He joined Timão in an unusual way: the then black and white president, Vicente Matheus, brought him in exchange for a young reserve football player with the Piracicaba club, which held Wlamir's rights.

Wlamir Marques in action for Corinthians. Photo: Reproduction.

Corinthians 118 x 109 Real Madrid

One of Wlamir Marques' most memorable games for Corinthians was against Real Madrid, from Spain. The match is referred to as “the greatest game ever played in Brazil.” The Mosqueteiro Squad hosted the then two-time European champion at the Parque São Jorge Gymnasium on July 5, 1965, and won 118 x 109.

The black and white idol admits he played practically “with his eyes closed” due to a severe allergy from a cold that hit him just before the match. Despite this obstacle, Wlamir says he scored 51 points, nearly half of Corinthians' total score. It's worth noting that at that time, there were no three-point shots.

“I remember that when I entered the Gymnasium, the news had already spread that I wouldn't play. I said, ‘I'll play even if it's with my eyes closed.’ So I played with my left eye not fully open,” Wlamir declared.

Wlamir Marques defended Corinthians from 1962 to 1972 and, with the black and white jersey, won historic titles such as three South American Championships (1965, 1966, and 1969), three Brazilian Championships (1965, 1966, and 1969), five Paulista Championships (1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969), and seven Paulistano Championships (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970).

Coaching Career

Even after retiring from the courts, Wlamir couldn't stay away from basketball and became a coach. During this time, he managed both the men's and women's teams at Corinthians.

Time with the Brazilian National Team

With the Brazilian National Team, Wlamir Marques won the World Championships in 1959 and 1963, being named the best player of the latter edition and making the ideal quintet in both competitions. The black and white idol also represented Brazil in the Olympic Games of 1956, 1960, and 1964.

Tributes

Wlamir Marques was honored by Corinthians with a bust at Parque São Jorge. Photo: Vinícius Lúcio/Central do Timão.

Wlamir Marques' victorious time at Corinthians continues to earn him tributes to this day. In August 2023, the former player was inducted into the International Basketball Federation Hall of Fame, FIBA, in a ceremony held in Manila, Philippines.

A few months later, in early November, Corinthians unveiled a bronze bust of Wlamir at the entrance of the Parque São Jorge gymnasium. He became the first basketball player to receive this honor from the club.

On March 18, 2025, Wlamir Marques passed away at the age of 87. Corinthians held the wake at the Parque São Jorge gymnasium, open to the public who wished to bid farewell to the sports legend.

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