Indiana Fever Veteran Reacts to Death of Legendary Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 9:03 PM ET

Damiris Dantas missed four consecutive games for the Indiana Fever in June and July as she flew to Santiago, Chile, to represent the Brazil national squad for the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup tournament.

Dantas led Brazil all the way to the championship game, where ultimately fell to the United States, 92-84. The 32-year-old was the driving force for Brazil, averaging 21.4 points on 52.0% shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 triples in seven games played throughout the tournament. Dantas was named as part of the AmeriCup All-Star 5 along with Brazil teammate and Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso.

Damiris Dantas Mourns Death of Coaching Legend

Experienced American coach Pokey Chatman who was assigned to lead the national team in the recent AmeriCup tournament. While Chatman has firmly established himself as a prominent figure at the national level for Brazil, he isn’t on the same level as the legendary Antonio Carlos Vendramini.

Unimed Campinas Basquete, a professional women’s basketball club in Brazil where Vendramini served as a technical advisor and sports director, announced the death of Vendramini on Thursday.

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A post shared by Unimed Campinas Basquete (@unimedcampinasbasquete)

Dantas reacted to the post by expressing her gratitude to the Brazilian coaching icon.

“Rest in peace, master. Thank you for everything ” she commented, as translated from Portuguese.

Dantas also shared several posts via her Instagram Stories as she mourned the passing of the legendary coach, whom she had the privilege of playing under during her stint with Unimed Campinas.

Fever veteran Damiris Dantas reacts to the death of legendary Brazilian coach Antonio Carlos Vendramini

(via @dantasdamiris on IG) pic.twitter.com/4A7kD5QZzX
— Paolo Songco (@PaoloSongcoNBA) July 31, 2025

Vendramini, the Legend

According to reports, Vendramini was recently hospitalized in Campinas, Brazil, where he ultimately succumbed to complications from a tumor. He was 74.

Vendramini is widely considered one of the most influential figures in the coaching scene in Brazil, particularly in women’s basketball. Throughout a decorated 40-year career, Vendramini won a total of 18 state titles and 13 national titles, among others.

He also had a memorable stint with the women’s national team, where he won the South American championship in 1989.

Vendramini’s passing is considered a great loss for Brazilian sports.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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