By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko forward and Italian national team captain Gigi Datome was named the ideal future president of his country’s basketball federation by current boss Gianni Petrucci. However, taking over the position isn’t something that interests the player.
“Thank you for the question, it’s been weeks my teammates are making a fool of me. No, I won’t do that. Despite the fact that I’m flattered by Petrucci’s words, I have a lot of things in my mind. None of them is clear but I definitely will not be the president of the federation,” Datome said in an interview with to La Gazzetta dello Sport:
Here’s what Datome also said on:
The arrivals of Milos Teodosic and Sergio Rodriguez to Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milano respectively and if they can relaunch Italian basketball?
“They are absolutely important elements but it’s a bit little. No matter how good they are, it takes more than two players.”
Nicolo Melli‘s departure from Fenerbahce to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans:
“We lose a player of highest basketball IQ and full-blown talent. He doesn’t have a totally big body size but he will be comfortable playing there.”
Milano‘s interest in him:
“When Obradovic and Gherardini decided to continue with me, I immediately said yes. It was around April or May. Milano called me and it was a pleasure but I had already given my word to Fenerbahce. And I’m very happy with my choice.”
The Italian national team:
We have shown our value, only the jump to being one of the elites is missing. A team with a clear talent, which lacks a bit of size and physicality but not eagerness, is going to China. We will find solutions.”