By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan confirmed its deal with Luigi Datome on Tuesday, shortly after the Italian forward parted ways with Fenerbahce Beko. The newest addition in Ettore Messina’s squad inked a three-year contract, as previously noted by Eurohoops.
“I’m really happy to start this new chapter of my career playing for such a historical and ambitious club like Olimpia Milan certainly is,” Datome said via the press release regarding his move to Olimpia Milano.
His arrival marks the fifth summer signing for the Italian club following Kevin Punter, Malcolm Delaney, Kyle Hines, and Davide Moretti.
“Gigi is a player who represents everything we are looking for in an athlete: charisma, experience, human values, winning habits. We are excited to have Gigi with us,” GM Christos Stavropoulos pointed out on the latest addition.
After even years featuring NBA and Fener, Datome is back in Italy. He last played for a team of his country in 2013 before departing for the NBA and a couple of years later making his way back to Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
As a teenager debuted in EuroLeague during his 2004-05 run with Siena and went on in Europe’s premier club competition powering Virtus Roma. His comeback and five-year run with Fenerbahce was highlighted by the 2017 championship. Between these three teams, Datome competed in 204 EuroLeague matches and will add on his tally sporting Milano’s jersey.
His 2019-20 outing, shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, resulted in the 2013 LBA Serie A MVP posting 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per EuroLeague game, and 8.2 points per BSL match.