Ubiratan "Bira" Pereira Maciel, commonly known as Bira Maciel, or simply Bira, was a professional basketball player from Brazil. He was born in São Paulo, Brazil. At a height of 1.99 m tall, he played at the center position. He is often regarded as the best Brazilian center of all time. He was nicknamed "O Rei".

The Brazil national basketball team is governed by the Brazilian Basketball Confederation, abbreviated as CBB. They have been a member of the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA), since 1935. Brazil's national basketball team remains among the most successful in the Americas. It is the only team besides the United States, that has appeared at every FIBA Basketball World Cup, since it was first held in 1950.