Vítor Benite

Early life

Benite was born in Jundiaí, located in São Paulo state. His father, Francisco Carlos Benite, an engineer, moved the family to Rio de Janeiro for a new job.

While playing with his brothers there, Flamengo coach Boleta noticed him and brought the boys to the Flamengo athletic club. Benite started his youth career with Flamengo in 1997, attending school in the mornings and playing basketball in the afternoons. As he grew older, he continued his youth development in Campinas with Clube de Regatas Campinas, and finished his amateur youth career at Rio Claro Futebol Clube.

Professional career

After finishing his youth career with Ulbra/Rio Claro, Benite signed with Pinheiros for the first season (2009) of the newly formed Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). He then spent two seasons with Franca. In his first year at Franca, he earned a nomination for the NBB Revelation Player award, though Raulzinho took the prize. The following season, Benite helped Franca reach the NBB finals, where they fell to Brasília.

2010–11 season: The new Brazilian jewel

He was named NBB Sixth Man of the Year, NBB Most Improved Player, and NBB Revelation Player. Argentine coach Rubén Magnano then selected him for the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship. Benite moved to Limeira, aiming to play point guard, and led the team to a strong regular-season position, but Limeira finished ninth and lost in the playoffs to Joinville. He then joined Flamengo, where his youth career began.

2012–13 season: The arrival at Flamengo and the first championship

With additions like Marquinhos, Olivinha, Kojo Mensah, and Shilton dos Santos, Flamengo became a super-team. They won the state championship unbeaten for an eighth consecutive title. In Liga Sudamericana, Flamengo reached the Final Four, beating Regatas Corrientes and Peñarol Mar del Plata, but lost to Brasília. In the FIBA Americas League, Flamengo qualified for the semifinals but lost all three games, finishing last in the group.

In the NBB, coach José Neto led the team to 20 straight wins, and Flamengo finished first in the regular season. Benite was selected for the NBB All-Star Game for the third straight time but was limited by injury. He recovered and played well, but felt the same injury before the NBB Finals and did not play, though he supported his teammates as Flamengo became national champion. That season earned him a return to the Brazil national team for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

2018–present

On July 23, 2018, he signed with Cedevita. He later played for San Pablo Burgos, averaging 13.5 points per game in the 2019–20 season, and re-signed on July 16, 2020. In October 2020, he won the 2019–20 Basketball Champions League with Burgos. On August 5, 2022, he signed with Gran Canaria of the Spanish Liga ACB.

On August 27, 2024, he signed with Real Betis Baloncesto of the LEB Oro. On September 11, 2025, he signed with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada of the Primera FEB.

National team career

Benite has represented the senior Brazilian national team at several major tournaments: the 2011 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2012 FIBA South American Championship, the 2013 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2014 FIBA South American Championship, the 2015 Pan American Games, the 2015 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics. He earned a silver medal at the 2011 FIBA AmeriCup, a bronze medal at the 2014 FIBA South American Championship, and a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.