By Stathis Trapezanlidis/ info@eurohoops.net
He is 22 years old and already he is considered not only the future but also a big part of the present for Italian basketball. Amadeo Della Vale of Reggio Emilia, the European U20 champion with Italy two years ago is already a factor of the court.
Despite his age he was part of Reggio Emilia Eurochallenge winning team in 2014 and last season he played in Legabasket’s finals. He started the season by winning the Italian Supercup as the MVP of the game. Eurohoops met him in Berlin and discussed with him the decision to return from the ΝCAA to Europe, the Euroleague, his ambitions for this season and Milos Teodosic, his idol.
Is Reggio Emilia hungry for something big in its first Eurocup season?
“For sure there are big ambitions and we want to go deep into the season. Our first goal is to be part of Last32. We are part of a difficult regular season group, but we have an experienced group of players who have been part both of Eurocup and of Euroleague. We, the younger guys of the team, must learn from them and try to win as many games as possible. We must become a solid team, to finish the game the right way and not taking chances against any opponent. It’s a learing process”.
Why you decided to leave Ohio State for Europe?
“I really like the atmosphere in Euroleague. It’s really amazing. I want and I hope to be part of the Euroleague, even if I still need to work hard and get more experience in order to reach the highest level. I am not good enough yet and this is just my first Eurocup season. For now, I want to be concentrated on Eurocup and our team’s goals”.
You are also a member of the Italian national team and a European champion in the U20 level. Can we expect the same success in the men’s level for Italy?
“I really hope to get a medal with the men’s team soon. This summer we were really close to that, we could have beaten Lithuania and get to the medal round. Now we have to qualify for the Rio Olympics. We have many great players in our roster, I learn from them and I try to get better”.
What’s your basketball idol? The player that you would like to be like him?
“I love Teodosic. He is a great player and I follow him closely”.
Can you compare him with Spanoulis and Lull? After all they are the Top3 players of Euroleague according to the Eurohoops Top100 ranking…
“They are all great players. Spanoulis has the killer instict, he had some amazing seasons and some big final four wins. They are all guards and any player can learn a lot from watching them. Llull is also great and a very important player for the Euroleague champions. But I really like Teodosic and when the time comes for him to win the Euroleague, he will be the number 1”.