Hortencia de Fatima Marcari

One of the greatest international players ever to step onto a basketball court, Hortencia Marcari began playing for her native Brazil at the tender age of 15 when she was added to the national team roster after showing enormous potential. The girl who would soon be known simply as Hortencia in basketball circles was a nightmare to guard, constantly seeking out holes in the defense, perpetually moving around the court, and relentlessly scoring the basketball. The Brazilian national team began winning with Hortencia in the lineup finishing third, second, and first in the 1981, 1987, and 1991 Pan-American Games respectively. Hortencia then led Brazil to the gold medal at the 1994 World Championships, averaging better than 27 points per game. She retired shortly after the 1994 Worlds, but came out of retirement two years later to help Brazil capture the silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games.