Nicol\u00f2 Melli’s interview with Fenerbahce’s official TV channel.<\/p>\n
His statements:<\/p>\n
“I am very happy to be back. It has been 5 years, but it feels like much longer… I am very happy and excited to have received this opportunity from Fener. I really missed Istanbul. After the NBA, I went to Milan. The game when Fenerbah\u00e7e came to Milan was probably one of the toughest of my life… I can even speak on behalf of my wife. She feels the same, we missed Istanbul a lot. Even though we didn\u2019t reach our goal in EuroLeague, those were fantastic years. Experiences are more important than results. I had great relationships with my teammates, the whole staff, and the coaches. I hope things go the same way from now on.”<\/p>\n
His NBA experience:<\/p>\n
“It was really great. The biggest misfortune was that it coincided with the Covid period, and that was a big problem. At the same time, after the coach change, things didn\u2019t go very well, but in the end, I am grateful to have had such an experience; I got to meet the best athletes in the world.”<\/p>\n
Melli expressed his happiness about working with coach Jasikevicius:<\/p>\n
“Sarunas’s successes show what kind of coach he is. I am very lucky to work with him, and we will all see what happens both on and off the court.”<\/p>\n
On the decision to return to Fenerbah\u00e7e:<\/p>\n
“Of course, I talked about it with my wife first, because we have a little girl and our second is on the way. She has always supported me from the very beginning. As I said at the beginning of the interview, we missed Istanbul a lot. Then I talked to my manager and other family members, and when they all supported me, it was a very easy decision.”<\/p>\n
On the preseason work so far:<\/p>\n
“Everything is going well so far. We didn\u2019t manage to do what we wanted in the first game, but I am sure we will get better every day. There are players who have been playing together for a long time, and other experienced ones who have just joined the team. All of Europe knows this organization… A museum was opened at Fenerbah\u00e7e \u00dclker Sports and Event Hall. It’s really a great place to show the history and successes of this club. It motivates all the players to be part of history, and that\u2019s why I am so happy to be here.”<\/p>\n
Finally, on his relationship with the Turkish club’s fans:<\/p>\n
“They supported me a lot, and everyone was happy about my return. I am also very happy to be back in Istanbul and Fenerbah\u00e7e. I can\u2019t wait to get back into that atmosphere with the yellow and navy blue…”.<\/p>\n
\nNicolo Melli\u2019nin \u00dclker Stadyumu Fenerbah\u00e7e \u015e\u00fckr\u00fc Saraco\u011flu Spor Kompleksi’ni ziyaret etti\u011fi g\u00f6r\u00fcnt\u00fcler! \ud83d\udcf9\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99@NikMelli<\/a> #YellowLegacy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gnOnDMYBsh<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Fenerbah\u00e7e Beko (@FBBasketbol) September 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n