Shocking news in Cantù: Semaj Christon suspended just hours before the derby against Olimpia
A sensational development has occurred at Acqua Bernardo Cantù just a few hours before the Desio derby against Olimpia Milano: Semaj Christon has been suspended and will therefore not take the court against the Biancorossi.
“Pallacanestro Cantù announces that it received, as of today, notification of the adverse result of the doping test conducted on athlete Semaj Christon following the October 11 game against Napoli and of the player’s subsequent precautionary suspension. The club reserves the right to make any necessary assessments and take appropriate action as soon as it has all the information needed to clarify the incident and remains at the disposal of the relevant sports and anti-doping authorities,” reads the statement from the Brianza-based club.
The news comes on the eve of an already complicated match. Monday Night at the Desio arena pits Cantù against Olimpia Milano for the 175th time. Frank Vitucci’s home team, bolstered by the arrival of Osvaldas Olisevicius, remains stuck at zero points after five losses in as many games. Among those losses is the 99-80 defeat suffered at the hands of Napoli in mid-October. Milan, fresh off a week in Athens with two EuroLeague games, has already lost twice in the league but is not underestimating its opponent. As Emilio Kovacic explained: “The fact that Cantù hasn’t won doesn’t mean they lack the individual talent and quality to make this a challenging game for us, especially after a week on the road with two EuroLeague games.”
Christon had been chosen as one of the key players for the new-look Cantù. The 33-year-old point guard from Cincinnati, whose signing was made official in June after APU Udine’s attempt to retain him, was introduced by general manager Simone Giofrè as a player “whose pedigree needs no introduction.” The club had also named him co-captain, alongside Riccardo Moraschini, primarily to serve as a leader for the foreign players. A graduate of Xavier University, he was selected by the Miami Heat with the 55th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. In Italy, he has played for Pesaro, Tortona, Brescia, Pistoia, Cremona, and Udine, and his list of achievements includes an ACB League title won with Saski Baskonia in 2019–2020.
However, the American’s start to the season did not go as hoped. The preseason, which ended with six losses in as many games, had been preceded in late August by a broken nose sustained during a scrimmage in Tortona. Christon underwent surgery at the Humanitas Hospital in Rozzano and returned to the court wearing a protective mask. By the end of October, following the Eagles’ loss, his name had already been added to the list of players under scrutiny by management, who expected more leadership and consistency. Hassani Gravett and Chad Brown were also among the players potentially on their way out.
This situation thus comes at a delicate time, even on the transfer market front. According to reports in *La Provincia di Como*, the Brianza-based club is reportedly considering the return of Erick Green—a key player in last season’s survival effort and currently with Reyer Venezia—on a short-term contract that includes an exit clause set to expire on November 19. Green was reportedly being considered as a backup to pair with Christon, but the competition is fierce. Venice can offer a salary increase and the chance to play in the EuroCup, and the player himself is reportedly inclined to stay in Venice, despite interest from Turkey.
