It’s over between Cantù and Semaj Christon; now it’s time for the transfer market
“Pallacanestro Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù announces that it has reached an agreement today to mutually terminate the contract with player Semaj Christon. The club wishes the player all the best for the rest of his career.” Just a few words to wrap up a relationship that never really took off between the blue-and-whites and the player they had decided to entrust with running the offense. Cantù is already back on the market, trying to turn around a season that couldn’t have started any worse. The preseason was very concerning, and the situation hasn’t changed in the league: six games played, six losses—almost all by wide margins—zero points, and the team sitting alone at the bottom of the standings.
A key factor in the split was the incident related to the positive result of the doping test conducted after the October 11 game against Napoli. The club had announced the notification on November 2, just a few hours before the Desio derby against Olimpia Milano, and the player had been suspended as a precautionary measure. “The club reserves the right to make any assessment and take any action as soon as it has all the necessary information to clarify the incident and remains at the disposal of the relevant sports and anti-doping authorities,” the statement read. Christon had until yesterday afternoon to request a retest, which could have taken up to six weeks; his decision not to do so, however, significantly shortened the timeline of the case.
The 33-year-old point guard from Cincinnati, who previously played in Italy for Pistoia, Cremona, and Udine, was officially signed in June after APU Udine’s attempt to retain him. He had been chosen as one of the key players for the new Cantù team, even being named co-captain alongside Riccardo Moraschini. His start to the season, however, had not gone as hoped: the preseason ended with six losses in as many games and had been preceded in late August by a broken nose sustained during a scrimmage in Tortona, which required surgery at the Humanitas Hospital in Rozzano and the use of a protective mask. By the end of October, following the Eagles’ protest, his name had already been added to the list of players under scrutiny by management, who expected more leadership and consistency.
The club is also looking under the basket: according to La Nuova, Chris Horton—a 203-centimeter American center born in 1994, who previously starred in Italy with Trapani and Reyer Venezia and currently plays for Aliaga Petkimspor in Turkey—has reportedly caught their attention. In his last season in Sicily, he averaged 9.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a 16.1 efficiency rating, leading the team to the league championship semifinals. He brings a wealth of experience to Coach Frank Vitucci’s team, which was already bolstered in recent days by the addition of Osvaldas Olisevicius.
After all, there is little room for error, considering last season’s precedent, when Chris Chiozza replaced Jacob Gilyard in January without managing to significantly improve the team’s performance.
