Gigi Datome categorical about the role of Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna

Gigi Datome doesn’t mince words

Gigi Datome, during an interview to the 'Corriere dello Sport', spoke among other things about the role of Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna in the Italian basketball scene, responding to those who see in the "duopoly" of meneghini and felsinei a negative element for basketball in the Bel Paese.

"Let us try to think about our basketball without Milan and Bologna – said the now former basketball player, responding with a provocation -: would it be a better championship? In my opinion, high-level formations ennoble the championships".

"Try to take away Olympiacos and Panathinakos from Greek basketball, Partizan and Red Star from Serbian basketball; or Barcelona and Real Madrid from Spain,” Datome added: they would all become other leagues. Moreover, given that to compete with Milan and Bologna the challenge has to be big, I think the other clubs are also pushed to aim upward. Just look at what Tortona has done, or Sassari, which è always competitive, and Venice. In short, in the end Armani and Segafredo by necessity raise the level of clubs".

Datome, born in 1987, ended his career at the recent World Championships, in which he finished eighth with the national team led by Gianmarco Pozzecco. At the club level, as a professional, he has worn the undershirts of Mens Sana Siena, Scafati, Virtus Roma, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics in the NBA (for him also some G-League appearances with the Grand Rapids Drive), Fenerbahce and Olimpia Milano. In the senior national team he has made 203 appearances.