Gigi’s white beard
A very romantic oath to basketball that reveals his kind soul and like his long beard, expressive and orderly that is so loved by his fans. A detail that expresses all his kindness, sympathy and also tenderness of a good and noble giant especially a Christmas when his attention goes to solidarity and charity.
“If they asked me for a special event with children, I could paint my beard white and be Santa Claus. I have never dyed it yet and surely if I ever do it before I will check for any side effects and duration “jokes Gigi who obviously doesn’t really care to ruin his beautiful tramp.
From tournaments like i “Gigione Day” but not only (with many friends like Filippo Tortu, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Stefano Tonut, Martin Castrogiovanni, Ghemon and many other fellow basketball players), up to sustainable projects such as his role as ENGIE planet ambassador. It was with ENGIE that he virtually lit the Tree of the Wind in Piazza La Scala in Milan last December 7: a structure that is inspired by wind turbines and combines nature with technology, promoting the carbon neutral philosophy and renewable energy. But the road is long: “There is still too little talk about it and I want to launch an important message to as many people as possible, and I do it also using my social profiles: we must reduce CO2 emissions and always safeguard our planet. Never before in this pandemic have we seen how important it is to protect our natural heritage, which is a spectacle, and how much human beings have impacted on it. We still have time to change things “.
Milan? Perfect situation to win it all
Gigi has come a long way, a lot, moving around the world between Italy (Santa Croce Olbia, Montepaschi Siena, Scafati, Virtus Rome to name the most important), United States (Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics in the NBA), Turkey (Fenerbahce) and finally the tricolor return to Olimpia Milano.
A move right at the best moment, the one you made last June, are you now more mature and ready to win everything in your country and under the gaze of your family, friends and supporters?
“I closed a chapter in Istanbul after almost 6 years at Fenerbahce where I won everything: 3 national championships (he is not named MVP in the finals of the 2015 national championship, ed), a Cup of Tuchia and a Euroleague. I learned a lot and loved Turkish basketball so much. I admit going back there though as an opponent this time it was not easy. I am happy that we triumphed in last week’s double engagement in the Euroleague in Istanbul first against Fenerbahce and then with Efes, especially since we are now fifth in the standings and our goal is the playoffs of course: we will do everything for central.
But I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel at home at the Ülker Sports Arena. Also without the fans it was a very strong emotion ever since I got off the plane until I stepped on that parquet. I was sad to see so many friendly faces that unfortunately because of Covid I was unable to hug anyone. I am very superstitious and have my rituals that I always put on the pitch before playing, not being able to share them with them, who were waiting for nothing else, it was not easy. But it would never have been the same, now I’m an Olimpia player and I’m a professional. It was a mix of mixed feelings, but all the fans and the Fenerbahce players will always remain in my heart, which is half yellow and blue. “
Speaking of emotions, there is already a victory that has already given her confidence in the shadow of the Milan Cathedral. Especially when the first cup of the season, the Supercoppa, gets up, and this is also due to him as he has scored 17 points.
“Of course, we posted the Italian Super Cup final by beating Virtus Bologna 75-68. Now I have just started a new chapter in best time for me. Physically and mentally I have grown up now and for this I have returned to Italy: now I can win and give a lot to the fans of Italian basketball. The situation is perfect. My goal is to win all 3 trophies with Olimpia Milano: Serie A, the Italian Cup and above all the Euroleague. We are a solid group, from coach Messina to all the guys in the team, and I’m not saying that now just because I joined the roster. We can do great things and we will try not only to make dreams come true, but to do as much as possible. At the moment we are in command of Serie A solo after beating Dinamo Sassari last Sunday (24 points and top scorer of the match, ed). We have to stay focused. ”
Serie A has changed a lot since you left it, an example is the withdrawal from the competition of Virtus Roma, of which you have been a symbol, captain and with which you won the Best Under 22 award in 2008-09 and Best Player of the 2012-13 Championship.
“I’m very sorry. The fans in the first place as the professionals are the injured party of this situation which unfortunately is not an exception and a novelty in the panorama of basketball in Italy. There are many teams that are forced to retire and then fortunately rise from their ashes. We hope there is a revival project in the fate of Virtus. I fell in love with Rome and the whole environment: this is where I reached my definitive consecration as a basketball player. My heart weeps honestly that a historic and competitive team is on the avenue of sunset but I know how difficult it is to carry on a club, especially now and with empty stands. There is a lack of aid from institutions and individuals, it is useless to deny how many clubs are left to fend for themselves “.
Virtus Roma, Totti and his home
The years in the capital have also left her the passion for Rome, that of Totti and De Rossi.
“Totti is indescribable. I was lucky enough to meet him and De Rossi, to swap shirts. Impossible not to be fascinated by the Giallorossi cheer. I would have loved it experience the city with the victory of a Giallorossi Scudetto in Serie A, it would have been something unique. Even if I am not a football fan I remain faithful to my Capitoline sympathy: I often look at the results after the matches and if Roma win I am happy. My fans at the time a few bars and comparison with Totti, since we were both captains, they made them to me. But of course it’s a comparison that doesn’t hold up for me, it is out of place. My supporters are very creative and obviously I am pleased and make me laugh when they indulge themselves (not even the irony is missing in the compare him to Jesus always because of his long beard, ed). Sometimes I have to be a diplomat when they exaggerate a bit. But they are always my strength both when I play well and especially when things go badly “.
Where do you really feel at home and take a nice bath?
“Good question. I’ve been out and about for 18 years. Surely Olbia and the Golfo Aranci are my home. There I can take a moment to relax and take a nice shower of those serene ones in which you release all the pressures with the flow of water. I’m not a bathtub type even if, unlike other people who reach almost two meters in height, I had a long Istanbul made especially for me. But I hardly ever used it. I prefer the sea of Sardinia and my family. There I feel at peace because it is where I grew up, where my parents chose to move and take the reins of Santa Croce Olbia and where I was registered for the first time. It is no secret that I choose number 70 in honor of my first team career, founded in 1970. Even though I was born in Montebelluna, I am a resident of Sardinia, I have a Sardinian accent and I can’t wait to fly for these holidays in my own land “.
