By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Experienced forward and former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion, Luigi Datome will not make the trip along with his AX Armani Exchange Milan teammates to face AS Monaco at Salle Gaston Medecin Friday, the team announced Thursday.
Datome, 34, was ruled out for EuroLeague Regular Season Round 14 due to a minor calf injury. He appeared in all 13 previous games, including eight starts, averaging 7.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest. Domestically, he is up to 9.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in Italy’s LBA Serie A.
Former Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski has tested negative in the most recent COVID-19 tests and exited the quarantine enforced by coronavirus health and safety protocols. He can be back for the team coached by Ettore Messina after missing Round 13. However, both injured Konstantinos Mitoglou and suspended Riccardo Moraschini will remain sidelined.
“Coming off four straight losses, this is obviously a very important and critical game for us,” said Messina looking to snap the losing streak and stop the bleeding following the impressive 8-1 start to the new season of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
“We are going to play a tough road game against a very competitive Monaco team,” added Devon Hall, “We’ll need to play 40 minutes of high-intensity defense while paying attention to every detail and staying together to the end”.
La Roca Team carries another four-game losing streak but at 5-8 ranks considerably lower than Olimpia Milano sitting at 8-5. Mike James, Leo Westermann, and Jerry Boutsiele will be out for the team coached by Zvezdan Mitrovic.