Here is another story worth telling. A story of authentic sporting passion but also of commitment, indispensable values and attachment to the family. What makes a champion an all-round personality, to be looked up to with sincere admiration. Let’s talk about Thomas Laquintanathe Monopoli basketball player, who was born with basketball in his heart, after a long apprenticeship managed to fulfill his dream of playing in the top flight, wearing the tank top Germani Brescia and becoming an idol for all the boys who are passionate about basketball.
Born in 1995, after his debut in the youth academyAnb Monopolyat the age of 16 disputed the first senior championship with theIndustrial Adriatic Ruvoat the time in the national division A, in the 2011-2012 season, before moving on to the following year Cus Bari where he also disputes the youth.
Start taking off and touring Italy with theOrlandina Basketball. It is then the turn of the Biella basketball. In 2018 he was registered by the Germani Brescia, with whom he will play two seasons. Then switch to Trieste basketball with which he signs a two-year contract. But after one season, he decides to return to Brescia: an excellent choice, considering that with the Lombard team he manages to win his first trophy of the season, the Italian Cup.
A good string of successes that contribute, together with the marked human and intellectual qualities, to making Tommaso a truly special character. The reason why we decided to interview him.
What emotions did you feel at the sound of the siren that sanctioned the conquest of the Italian Cup in Turin?
I experienced an indescribable joy. It seemed like a dream, considering that we reached the final phase of the Coppa Italia from eighth place in the standings. None of us could have imagined that we would write such an important page in the sporting history of the city of Brescia. The victory of the Italian Cup and the meeting with Kobe Bryant, a great basketball player on the world scene, are for the moment my most important joys from a sporting point of view.
How does it feel to have beaten two battleships like Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna?
We knew that in a one-off match anything could happen: usually in these challenges the values are reset to zero and all the teams start on equal footing. From the first match we entered the parquet with the desire to demonstrate our value as a well-matched and amalgamated team and, in the end, we can consider ourselves more than satisfied with the result obtained.
How satisfied are you with your journey so far?
I am very happy with the results achieved. I started playing when I was only eight and making enormous sacrifices I arrived in Serie A. Of course, the road is still long and I never get tired. day after day, to improve my performance, with the aim of always getting the best out of the field.
Yours is a family of basketball players: do you exchange advice?
With my brother Vanni – we are almost the same age – I shared many experiences. Michelangelo, on the other hand, is the youngest of the brothers. But even with him there is no shortage of opportunities to exchange opinions. Usually in the summer, when I return to my city, it’s the right time to compare our experiences and to draw useful lessons. Obviously in an atmosphere of great collaboration and joy.
You have lived in Brescia for many years now but the distance has never weakened the bond with your city…
My sporting experiences have led me to live in beautiful places such as Capo d’Orlando, Biella, Pistoia, Trieste and now Brescia. But like every southerner I am proud of my origins and, as soon as I get the chance, I try to spend a few days in my Monopoly to which I am viscerally linked.
You and your brother Vanni played Ruvo di Puglia. What do you remember of that experience?
It was fundamental to the beginning of my career. In that season I was lucky enough to be coached by coach Giulio Cadeo, who immediately believed in me, even though I was among the youngest and there were players with much more preparation than me who came from the youth team. I am committed to repay his trust, even if – I confess – at that time I didn’t deserve much to play in the category, due to the lack of experience behind me. It doesn’t happen to everyone to compare themselves at 16 with colleagues with a much wider curriculum. However, this thing didn’t scare me: through them I tried to grasp all the secrets to grow and improve myself. As for my brother, Ruvo was also a fundamental step in his career for him, culminating in the 2018-2019 season with the victory of the C Gold series championship.
How do you imagine your future after your sports career?
I still have many years ahead: thinking about the future seems premature to me. However, I would like to work in the basketball world although I don’t know exactly with what role. But I would also like to spend a lot of time together with family and friends.
To which people do you think you owe particular gratitude?
Among the people to whom I will always be grateful and whom I consider my mentors, there are Gianluca Basile e Riccardo Chieco, both from Ruvesi, who have given me so much confidence, allowing me to grow both as an athlete and as a man. Obviously I am also grateful to my parents, who have never made me want for anything, supporting me in every choice I make.
The photos depicting Tonmmaso Laquintana are taken from the fb page of Pallacanestro Germani Brescia
