By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From Italy to NCAA and back, a successful path for Davide Moretti. After three years at Texas Tech, the 22-year-old point guard welcomed the opportunity for his next step presented by AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan. Among many more topics ranging from his decision to turn pro and his college experience, he talked to Fran Fraschilla in the latest episode of World of Basketball about Milan and hoping for a call from the Italian national team.
“My mind and my heart, I want to play for the national team as bad as anything else,” he replied to a question on representing his country at the senior level after going through every junior national team, “I am really excited. I hope I can get the opportunity to play for my national team. Representing my national team at the highest level would be an honor for me.”
His reserve role at Olimpia Milano does not baffle him although he is coming off being an NCAA star. He recalled adjusting from a starter to a backup first arriving at Texas Tech before emerging as a regular starter as a sophomore and turning heads with his impressive outings.
“It’s an adjustment I feel I am ready for and I can handle,” he mentioned, “It’s like a process. I know my role is to give 100% every single practice and every game.”
Help from veteran players gathered in Milan for the next Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season and remaining domestic competitions after capturing the Italian Supercup is much appreciated by Moretti.
“It’s a good team. We have a lot of new guys like me. We try to help each other,” he pointed out, “I try to listen a lot especially from the experienced guys like Sergio Rodriguez and Malcolm Delaney.”
“Every practice is a battle,” he also said painting the picture of his first professional steps, “I try to show my potential along with those great talents every time in practice. It’s not easy. If I make a good play in practice, I’m happy. That’s how good they are and how much respect I have for those guys.”
Coaching guidance from well-respected Ettore Messina is another plus for the young point guard even though he regrets never getting to meet him while both were at Texas. Messina returned to Italy last summer after his stint as at the San Antonio Spurs.
“His demanding for perfection is unbelievable. He treats everybody the same,” he said referring to his new head coach, “You have to be focused on everything. He has everything under control. Those things make you a great coach. Also, he has so much experience. He knows how to win games.”
After three NCAA seasons, he opted to return to Italy. However, he admitted to struggling for months before finalizing the decision to leave the Red Raiders and launch a professional career.
“It’s definitely good to be back home, a good feeling. It wasn’t the reason that I decided to come back here. I started feeling at home at Texas Tech,” he said, “It was probably the toughest decision I had to make in my career so far. Everything I went through with Texas Tech, it’s unbelievable. It will be with me for the rest of my life.”
“In three years we accomplished a lot of things. It wasn’t easy at all,” he furthered, “I wanted to bet on myself one more time. I wanted to keep showing people that I can play at a certain level, keep proving people wrong. I thought that Milan could be a great opportunity. The EuroLeague and playing in such a great club can be a great opportunity for me.”
As the son of Paolo Moretti, he gains additional input on coaches. “My dad as a coach he always gave me advice or tips on how to react,” he said, “He told me a coach might think this way or talk that way because he has that point of view that I don’t have.”
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