By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nicolo Melli officially entered the free-agent pool.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan released him from his expiring contract on Thursday.
Per the press release: “Olimpia Milan and its ownership group are thankful to Nicolò Melli for all he did for the Club, the individual records that he set, the three championship seasons we just experienced, and all the memories we will share forever, and wishes the best for the future to him and his family.”
In 2021, Melli went from the NBA to returning to his first team in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Over the last three years in Europe’s premier club continental competition, he averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest over 98 appearances, including 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in the 2023-24 season. The team coached by Ettore Messina reached the Final Four of the 2021-22 installment of the EuroLeague but fell short of the Playoffs over the next two years.
Coming out of two seasons in the NBA, packing 108 games played between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, he emerged as the team captain for Le Scarpette Rosse. Winning the LBA UnipolSai three times, he became a four-time champion, combined with capturing a title with Olimpia Milan in 2014. Recent team success expanded to lifting Coppa Italia in 2022.
A veteran of 12 expeditions in the EuroLeague, including eight in Milan, he is up to 305 appearances, counting spells at Fenerbahce Dogus / Beko and Brose Bamberg.