Leonardo Totè returns on'farewell to'Olimpia Milano and goes down flat

Returning to Naples in recent days after consensually terminating the contract that bound him to Olimpia Milano since last summer, Leonardo Totè is seeking personal redemption in the Campania capital after a first half of the season well below his expectations. Speaking to Radio CRC, the 1997-class center did not hide his disappointment with the Milan experience but at the same time promises not to be affected in his third spell with the Neapolitan club, after those of 2022 and the 2024-2025 season.

“I certainly never expected an’experience of this kind in Milan – he said, without turn of phrase -. Let&#8217s say that the assumptions this summer were different, I was convinced by the project that was behind it, which due to events that happened and other issues did not go through. As soon as I realized it, I decided to make a change and the first thought I had went to Naples. Pressure? I don&#8217t feel any, because the only thought is to do well: I want to prove do more with this jersey”.

Toté says he is not worried about his form, despite having been for so long without setting foot on the parquet during official competitions: “After the stop in Milan I thought I was a little bit more rusty, instead I am in very good shape. I feel good, I am training very well with the team, it really took only a practice and a half to find the feeling with my teammates. Of the rest, this team has a lot of talent, distributed in the various roles. There will be extra offensive weapons, for sure”.

Francesco Lucivero

From a tactical point of view, the 28-year-old center does not rule out the’idea of being employed together with Guglielmo ‘Willie’ Caruso, without one necessarily having to consider himself as an alternative to the’other: “Even in the past I have played on teams with two longs on the court, basically 4 and 5 interchangeable. Since Willie and I are similar players it could be an’idea, however, let&#8217s say that, right now, the important thing is to find a new balance as we are already doing: bringing it back then on the court is the most complicated thing, especially at the beginning. But I am very confident”.

Veronese from Negrar, Toté grew up in Basket Steeb Verona and Scaligera Basket, before completing his youth path in Reyer Venezia. Among seniors he has worn the undershirts of Brescia, Verona, Jesi, Pesaro (in two different periods), Fortitudo Bologna, Bilbao and Olimpia Milano, with three different brackets in Napoli.