Andrea Bargnani and the return of Serie A basketball to Rome
Andrea Bargnani has never officially announced his retirement from basketball, but the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft is now focused on his new role within Italian basketball. Il Mago spoke to Il Messaggero.
Selected first overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2006, Bargnani is now an Executive Advisor to the Lega Basket, working across different areas including communications and commercial activities.
A native of Rome and a former Virtus Roma fan, Bargnani discussed the return of Serie A basketball to the capital, which now has two teams after seven years without a representative in Italy’s top division.
“I am from Rome and I was a Virtus Roma fan. Regarding the two new teams, it is obvious to say that the capital has a very large potential pool, even though culturally it is less structured than before. I cannot say 100% whether this new model will be the winning model, just as with NBA Europe in the future, but the model that exists today in European basketball needs to be improved and it is worth trying this new challenge.”
Basket Roma and Stella Azzurra face the challenge of winning over fans
The two new Roman teams have had a difficult start, including some skepticism from fans connected to the city’s basketball tradition.
Bargnani understands some of those concerns but points out that similar situations have occurred in the past.
“Many Virtus fans did not identify with Virtus 1960, today I read many comments about these two teams and to some extent I understand them. In 1994, Virtus Roma itself bought a title and those who were affected by that operation were certainly not happy. However, everything is legal, everything is organic. Regarding the delay, the question should be asked to them, it is normal that there is a period of adjustment, but now the rosters have been completed and the season is getting into full swing. As a Roman, I expect them to play good basketball. Now they will need to work on marketing and brands and target younger age groups to bring them to the Pala Eur and the Palazzetto dello Sport.”
Bargnani on NBA Europe
NBA Europe is another major topic in Bargnani’s interview. The former NBA player believes the project should be welcomed by European basketball and sees significant potential in the financial resources that could enter the market.
“It is a new development that should be positively embraced by the entire basketball movement, there will be investors willing to invest billions and they are not doing it for charity. Nobody can say whether it will be the final and decisive solution, but looking at the current situation, especially in terms of finances, it is a model. I think nobody can say that it is perfect, but it can be improved from many points of view. It is too easy to talk about the history of basketball, but what exactly are they defending? How much are the owners currently spending, sometimes without revenues? NBA Europe can be a potential opportunity.”
“Milan remains the favorite”
Bargnani also addressed the balance of power in Italian basketball, identifying Olimpia Milano as the favorite at the start of the season.
“Olimpia has a much bigger budget than the others and remains the favorite, in August that is how it is. In a few months, let’s talk again and see how the season is going.”
Bargnani’s memories of Rome
The former NBA star also recalled the people and clubs that played an important role in the early stages of his career.
“At Stella Azzurra, I spent my first real year as a professional in B2 with Riccardo Esposito, while I have wonderful memories of Basket Roma. Castellano was the coach who developed me, it is impossible to forget my time in Rome. Obviously, there are other people who shaped me, from Ettore Messina to Francesco Cuzzolin, and Maurizio Gherardini, who wanted me at Treviso when I was 17, and then with the Raptors.”
Bargnani’s new role with Lega Basket
Bargnani also explained his new role as Executive Advisor to Lega Basket.
“My role is transversal, from communications to the commercial side, and we create things from scratch, such as the one-on-one tournament. I am in contact with all departments thanks to my relationship with Gherardini. There are things that I care about a lot, but they are still in an embryonic stage.”
Bargnani confident in Luca Banchi and Italy
Finally, Bargnani expressed his confidence in Luca Banchi and the new Italy national team project.
“Banchi has never coached me, but we know how focused he is on the project and his obsession with basketball, dedicated two thousand percent just like Gigi Datome. The plan put together by president Petrucci is excellent, in terms of structure and professionalism it seems very important, then you need the players and they are the ones who go on the court. But I believe the future is already looking bright from these qualifiers.”
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