Coach Frank’s son arrived with him in Brindisi. Now play Carovigno in Dr1
There is a moment in the life of those who grow up with basketball when you have to choose whether to stay or leave. Marco Vitucci made that choice at 21 years old, far from the lights of Serie A, but not from basketball. He remained in Puglia, in Brindisi, to study physical education in Lecce and continue playing in Dr1, today in Carovigno. Not out of inertia, but out of conviction.
«I attended almost all the youth teams in Treviso – explains Marco Vitucci – where I also reached the national finals». A path marked by moves, as often happens to the children of art. At the age of 12, he spent a season in Turin, when his father Frank coached Auxilium. «It was a beautiful and very formative experience, which unfortunately didn’t last long but from which I still carry wonderful memories today». Then, at 15, the definitive move to Brindisi, following his father’s work at the helm of New Basket.
Today Marco lives in the city with his sister, while his parents are elsewhere. Dad Frank accepted an important challenge on Scafati’s bench, in A2. «We stayed here because we are completing our studies. Last year I won the Dr1 championship with Ceglie and this year I’m in Carovigno with the same goal.” But Brindisi was not just a stopover. «From day one he didn’t make me feel like a foreigner. For me it is a second home. I have had experiences and made friends that I hope I will always carry with me. I believe that a part of me will always remain linked to this city.”
The relationship with basketball, paradoxically, was not immediate. «My approach was strangely not automatic, even having a father who was a coach, a mother who was a former coach and a brother who played for the former Benetton. I did swimming and then judo until I was 8-9 years old.” His answer, as a child, surprised everyone: “Why should I let a stranger train me when I have my dad who does it for work?”. Then the pitch, the Sundays at the arena, the desire to play even when it rained. «So I convinced myself to enter the parquet».
The greatest emotion? «Definitely my debut in Serie A, which I will carry with me forever. Experiencing that environment on a daily basis is a unique experience.” But the Dr1 also provided indelible memories. «The championship won in Ceglie, with an entire crowd at the stadium and the celebrations continued in the city center throughout the night».
Being the son of Frank Vitucci, one of the most esteemed coaches in Italian basketball, brings with it advantages and responsibilities. Rigorous coach, field man, protagonist for years in Serie A between Treviso, Turin and Brindisi, Frank Vitucci has built his career on organisation, daily work and the growth of players. «It’s an advantage that also brings a positive responsibility – continues Marco – and I try to be a sponge, because it’s not a given to be able to see how a Serie A training session is set up or how the players are chosen for the following year». But without pressure. «My dad was never intrusive or oppressive. He always limited himself to giving me valuable advice, without interfering with the coaches I had.”
His motto remained with his son too: play hard and enjoy. «Having fun while working hard is essential. When I play I have fun like a child.” In Carovigno, today, Marco has found an environment that he feels is his. «It’s a unique place, you feel like you’re in a family. The company is young and well organised. The level is high, but we are one of the teams that can challenge for promotion.”
The future is already in motion: degree in Sports Science, coach card, a possible second degree in physiotherapy. «I would like one day – concludes Marco – to be able to lend a hand to my dad». Without haste. Because, as he says, «basketball is an element I have lived with since day zero. It made me live experiences, get to know places and people that I will carry with me forever.” And perhaps this is precisely the true inherited teaching.
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