By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Italy has made it to the Quarter-Finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and big credit must be given to Nicolò Melli, who led his national with 7 points and 12 rebounds – 8 of them on offense.
Talking to the media in the mixed zone, he was asked how he was feeling. “Now we’re feeling tired, but very happy. It was a goal we had in mind, even though, seeing the group we faced, it wasn’t something to take for granted. We are very happy with the result, and now all that comes is something more”, he first said.
“With the second round, the level increased. We were good on defense, and everybody contributed. We switched on the two guards, who were very dangerous. In the beginning, Tonut and then Pippo gave us a big push”, he added on Puerto Rico’s physicality.
Talking about Tonut, who ended with 15 points, he was the sole offensive spark for Italy at the beginning of the game. “I always tell him he’s super strong. Sometimes he forgets about it, he should remember it more often. He’s always super strong when he doesn’t score 15 points like he did tonight. He’s an extraordinary player who gives it all on the court. For me, it isn’t a surprise that he’s such an effective weapon. I’m happy he could demonstrate this at this level, on such a stage. I always tell him, every time. Even when he wasn’t playing with Milano“, his teammate added.
Finally, he also took some time to comment on his performance on the glass, crucial against Puerto Rico. “I’m feeling good because we won. If I can make a contribution to the team, I do it. Today it happened with offensive rebounds, with second-chance opportunities on offense. I know I’m always undersized, so I try to be a little bit more clever. Sometimes I’m good at it, sometimes not. Tonight I was good at it. The most important thing is to be here, at the Quarter-Finals”, Nicolò Melli stated.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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