Derthona Basket has secured American guard Dante Maddox Jr. on loan from Olimpia Milano for the 2026-27 season, adding an explosive offensive talent who arrives fresh off a dominant campaign in the BNXT League and a stint in the NBA Summer League, according to club announcements. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound guard brings production, defensive versatility, and high-level shooting to Tortona as the club prepares for both the Italian championship and the EuroCup under coach Mario Fioretti.
From BNXT League MVP to Bertram Derthona
Born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, Maddox joins Derthona after a standout professional debut year overseas with Belgian club Okapi Aalst. Records show he finished as the regular-season MVP, leading scorer, and highest-rated player across the top leagues of Belgium and the Netherlands. In 40 total games spanning the regular season and playoffs, he averaged 24.3 points in 31.1 minutes per contest. His shooting percentages underline his efficiency: he shot 59.7% from two-point range, 44.5% from beyond the arc—ranking third best overall—and 87.6% from the free-throw line. Alongside those scoring figures, he contributed 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and drew nearly seven fouls per game for an index rating of 31.1, guiding Aalst to the playoff semifinals before falling to Ostend.
Summer League Stint and Early Preseason Impact
Before finalizing his move to Tortona, Maddox spent time in Las Vegas competing in the NBA Summer League. In four games with the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 27.3 minutes per game while shooting 35.5% from three-point range. Those performances immediately translated to the court in Italy during Bertram Derthona’s early preseason fixtures under Mario Fioretti. Following an opening defeat to Fortitudo Bologna and a victory over Urania Milano, Derthona edged Pallacanestro Cantù 78-76 in a tightly contested matchup, according to local media reports analyzed by La Stampa. Trailing for large stretches, Tortona turned the game around after halftime with vital contributions from Eboua, Bortolani, Hubb, and Maddox.
Tactical Profile and What Maddox Brings to Tortona
Analysis in La Stampa highlights that Maddox provides an immediate variety of solutions with the ball in his hands, combining high-level athleticism, defensive activity, transition play, and rebounding. While analysts caution that preseason indicators must be weighed carefully, the guard is already displaying the energy, physicality, and defensive commitment that initially convinced Olimpia Milano to invest in him. Beyond his individual skill set, Maddox earned the nickname “AutoMaddox”—derived from “automatic”—during his rise through Bloom Township High School (where he was coached by his father, Dante Maddox Sr.), Cal State Fullerton, Toledo, and Xavier in the NCAA before heading to Europe.
Squad Construction and Upcoming Schedule
Derthona enters the new campaign with a roster still taking shape. The team has navigated early absences, including guard Durham sidelined with a muscle strain and center Olejniczak away on international duty with Poland for 2027 World Cup qualifiers. Despite the incomplete roster, the squad’s athletic identity and willingness to share the ball have drawn praise from the coaching staff. Coach Mario Fioretti expressed confidence in the club’s new addition, noting that the team was impressed by Maddox’s ability to channel his individual talent directly toward team success in an elevated competitive environment.
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