By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Gabriele Procida announced himself to the EuroLeague in the 2022-23 season with open-court dunks among a host of highlight-reel plays. What we’re seeing from the 22-year-old forward in this current campaign, however, goes further than some spectacular plays.
The reigning EuroLeague Rising Star, who claimed the award last season despite injuries limiting his playing opportunities, twice improved his EuroLeague career-highs in recent weeks: first against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in Round 8 and then in the miraculous win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan.
When ALBA needed him to answer, Procida picked up the phone.
Making the best out of a difficult situation
“I’m feeling way better than one year ago,” he explained to Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops. “Unfortunately, it was a difficult preseason. I twisted the same ankle twice. Staying out and missing the first games of the season wasn’t easy” he recalled about opening the 2024-25 campaign at less than 100 percent.
“I wasn’t ready, and I immediately did my all both on the court and in practice. I wasn’t feeling at ease during the four or five months when I stayed out”, he said referring to the injury problems he suffered through last year when he could play in only 25 games out of 34 EuroLeague regular season games.
“But now I take everything that comes to me. Not having the full squad available gives me even more playing time and a lot of occasions where I can risk a little bit more. I’m feeling great confidence-wise, I love getting my responsibilities on offense too”, Procida added.
Despite a severely limited rotation, with eight players [Malte Delow, Will McDowell-White, Matt Thomas, Martin Hermannsson, Yanni Wetzell, Louis Olinde, Justin Bean, and Khalifa Koumadje] sidelined, Coach Israel Gonzalez’s team managed to come back from down 13 points.
ALBA forced overtime after trailing for 38 out of 40 minutes in regulation and then the yellow-and-blue side got inspired by Procida’s 29-point performance. He made 10 of 18 shots from the field and 8 of 8 at the line in addition to 4 rebounds and 3 steals in a team-high 36:11 minutes on the court.
“I like being the leader, using the right words, for the young guys who are playing a lot now, all born between 2004 and 2007, without lots of experience in the EuroLeague. I like helping them. I try to give advice, make them feel comfortable, lead by example,” the Italian forward explained.
Dorian Grosber, Anton Nufer, Amon Doerries, and Elias Rapieque never played in the EuroLeague before the beginning of the current season and they’re now seeing game time regularly. Gabriele’s goal, therefore, is to help them adjust through a trying adjustment period.
That’s where even a 22-year-old becomes an experienced teammate. “From not even playing, Dorian [Grosber] was put in the starting five [against Milan]. I can only imagine his and their emotions. What’s certain is that everybody helps everybody, we give each other one hand. It doesn’t matter if you fail, mistakes happen. What counts is playing hard, eager to give the maximum”, Procida said.
Lacking three-point confidence around great teammates
If there’s one particular aspect in which Gabriele Procida can improve his game, that’s his three-point shooting. In today’s game, he needs to boost his percentages from beyond the arc to become a more complete offensive weapon; he shot 19 of 79 (24.0%) in 2022-23, 27 of 93 (29.0%) in 2023-24, and is 8 of 40 (20%) this year so far.
“Every day I look at specialized shooters and their ability to come off screens. I work individually with our player development coach to get free and balanced off the screen, getting the ball. I just have to keep shooting, looking at the distances, not having a fear of missing the shot”, he said.
“I need to shoot, without thinking too much about it. Just because in some games I shoot 40%, some I miss them all. I obviously need to be steadier, but I’m working on it every day of the week. I’m confident the ball will get in”, he continued.
Speaking of adjustment periods, his countryman and best friend Matteo Spagnolo has also been doing it since making his debut in the EuroLeague, following last year’s joint experience at the Basketball World Cup with the Italian national team. Last season, he put up 7.3 points with 3.4 assists and 2.5 turnovers.
“I also needed to adjust in my first season [in the EuroLeague], especially learning new adaptations on defense. It was a first for him too, but I believe he had a good debut year that has helped him get better and better,” Procida said.
However, the Italian point guard is now stable at 12.1 points and 3.8 assists per game, despite still averaging 2.4 turnovers.
“You can see him now more relaxed, more loosened. He has metabolized concepts. Now it’s a matter of strengthening his confidence,” he said of Spagnolo.
Compared to 2023-24, ALBA can now count on one of the best point centers in the league after acquiring Trevion Williams from fellow German club ratiopharm Ulm.
“He helps a lot screen-wise, on the ball, rebounding. He has proved to be a step ahead of everybody else in reading the passing lane immediately before you get free,” Procida said about his teammate.
Procida is definitely one of the best in Berlin this season, averaging 13.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Over the last four games, his numbers have increased to 18.3 points, 8.8 boards and 3.8 assists.
“It’s pretty easy playing with him because he finds you in every way possible. It’s not common to get yourself a center who has such ability to pass the ball, and at the same time use his body and physicality to get in the post, back to the basket. It’s huge,” Procida added about Williams.
Is Italy’s future in safe hands with this new generation?
While Procida and Spagnolo are proving Italians can shine in the EuroLeague in Berlin, there’s another of their countryman who’s doing the same with Virtus Bologna: Mouhamet Diouf. “I’m glad he’s happy at Virtus [Bologna], he’s getting a lot of opportunities from Luca Banchi,” Procida said.
“He’s starting games, he plays tough and he’s reliable. He has been playing great games, even against ASVEL when he had 15 points. These are all things we are bringing from the national team, and we should all help each other with it.
“We need young players on the national team, and we need them to feel trusted by their clubs. I’m happy and I hope they keep going because it’s cool having young guys emerge just like me and Matteo have done. It’s important each of us gets minutes.”
Another Italian talent who has the ability to reach the EuroLeague shortly is the 2004-born forward Saliou Niang, who’s averaging 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his second BKT EuroCup campaign with Dolomiti Energia Trentino.
“We played together at Fortitudo [Bologna in 2021-22], he was a kid back then. He often used to practice with us”, Procida recalled. “I’m really happy for him because he’s a golden boy. He’s evolving amazingly both physically and on the court. I was sure I would have seen him becoming great one day, but I didn’t think I would see him reach this level this soon. In Trento, he’s confirming himself. [Coach] Paolo [Galbiati] keeps on giving him trust, and I’m very happy for him.”
Procida may soon need shades… Because the future of Italian basketball looks bright.
PHOTO CREDIT: ALBA Berlin / Jan Buchholz
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