Aosta, Italy – National team coach Marco Sodini recently concluded a training session with some of Italy’s most promising young basketball players in Aosta, Valle d’Aosta. The event, dubbed “La Valle d’Aosta conta,” took place on March 5, 2026, at the PalaMiozzi arena and focused on athletes born in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Sodini, who leads Italy’s youth national team programs, collaborated with Sara Favre, the regional delegate for Federbasket (the Italian Basketball Federation), to organize the camp. Favre, also a member of the SNPA communication and information observatory and a former President of the Aosta City Council, played a key role in bringing the event to the region.
The intensive training session brought together a comprehensive list of young talent, including Francesco Brunod, Milo Engaz, Aksel Kofler, Jean Pierre Lavy, Samuel Manchia, Daniel Scripcaru, Simone Alfonsi, Mateo Beleshi, Christopher Bibaki, Matteo Blasco, Lorenzo Carcia, Mathias Cavallera, Gilbert Comé, Thomas Cominelli, Andrea Dedej, Brayan Delgado, Gabriel Fazari, André Marcoz, Henri Mathiou, Joseph Moussanet, Benjamin Noro, Mael Pession, Valerio Ricci, Shon Shatku, Davide Trucco, Nicolò Varone, Nikolas Vinci, Habin Yeuillaz, Jacopo Zola, Folco Aldini, Tommaso Cremonese, Julien Frassy, Lorenzo Lodato, Mattia Mariano, Thomas Montrosset, Francesco Odoguardi, Jean Marc Pellissier, Christian Prunas Scancarello, Leonardo Reverchon, Jacopo Roveyaz, François Vuillermin, Alessandro Bragardo, Clemy Chevrier, Daniele Dalle, Emanuele Di Blasi, Erges Docaj, Marco Gemma, Alex Lillaz, Luca Mazzucco, Christian Montalto, Alex Panuzzo, Tommaso Santin, and Andrei Vignoli. The sheer number of participants underscores the growing enthusiasm for basketball within the Valle d’Aosta region.
Beyond Sodini and Favre, a dedicated team of coaches and support staff contributed to the camp’s success. Raffaele Romano, the territorial technical representative, oversaw the on-court instruction alongside Pietro Catalfamo, president of the Valdostan technical staff. Alessandro Pesavento, the delegate for referees, and his team were also present. Medical support was provided by Dr. Damiano Presciani and physiotherapist Gabriele Moris, while Simone Delli Guanti handled physical preparation. Assistant coaches Enrico Albanese, Lorenzo Lepore, Gianluca Nieroz, Gregory Parolo Daudry, Massimiliano Perozzi, and Daniel Rossi rounded out the coaching staff.
This camp represents a significant investment in the future of Italian basketball. For many of these young athletes, this was an opportunity to learn from a coach at the national level and showcase their skills. The focus on players from the 2008-2010 age groups suggests a long-term development strategy aimed at building a strong pipeline of talent for Italy’s national teams.
The event also highlights the growing importance of regional basketball development. Valle d’Aosta, a mountainous region in northwestern Italy, may not be a traditional basketball hotbed, but initiatives like this demonstrate a commitment to fostering the sport at the grassroots level. The collaboration between the national federation and regional delegates is crucial for identifying and nurturing young talent across the country.
Looking ahead, the Valle d’Aosta region is also participating in the Jr. NBA WNBA FIP Schools League, further expanding opportunities for young basketball players. The region’s involvement in this program, along with the recent training camp led by Marco Sodini, signals a bright future for basketball in Valle d’Aosta.
The next scheduled event for youth basketball in the region is the continuation of the Minibasket Valle d’Aosta Trophy, which began on January 17th and will run through May, encompassing the Pulcini, Scoiattoli-Libellule, and Aquilotti categories. This ongoing tournament provides a consistent platform for young players to compete and develop their skills.
Fans interested in following the progress of these young athletes and the development of basketball in Valle d’Aosta can find updates on the Federbasket Valle d’Aosta website: https://valledaosta.fip.it/. You can also find more information about Sara Favre on her LinkedIn profile: https://it.linkedin.com/in/sara-favre-1073b4b2.
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