Daniel Hackett Speaks Candidly About His Future

Appointed captain of Virtus Bologna—the club for which he first took the court in the second half of the 2021–2022 season following the abrupt end of his tenure with CSKA Moscow— Daniel Hackett admits he’s thinking about what might happen beyond this season, aware that he’ll turn 39 on December 19. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rudy’s son didn’t mince words.

“I’ve thought about it and discussed it with General Manager Ronci when we renewed my contract,” Hackett explained. “The club still believes I can contribute; I’m not backing down, but you have to be honest with yourself and understand your limits. We’ll see how things go during the season; I’m open to anything and focused solely on Virtus.”

With the Vu Nere, Hackett has won one Scudetto, two Italian Super Cups, and a EuroCup, quickly becoming one of the symbols of the Bologna-based club despite his past with rivals Olimpia Milano, for whom he played from 2013 to 2015, before spending six and a half years abroad with Olympiacos, Bamberg, and CSKA Moscow.

One trophy missing from his already impressive collection is the Coppa Italia (his only victory—with Siena in 2013—is among those revoked by the FIP from the Tuscan club), a competition that Virtus hasn’t won since as far back as 2002. “Virtus has had charismatic captains who have won many titles; before it’s too late, I’d like to end my tenure by lifting a trophy—perhaps the Italian Cup that President Zanetti so desperately wants,” Hackett said.