Devon Hall His contract is expiring, but Olimpia wants to stay: “We hope he stays with us, we would like him to stay with us at all costs. I can’t answer you more than that. Last year she had to cover a lot of holes. She had to do one, two, three, two and a half. He sacrificed a lot. This year he managed to return to his natural role of two, three. A player who can handle the ball, but can also make a shot, a penetration, defends very, very well. I think he also had an important leap in terms of leadership within the team”.
Also Shabazz Napier took a leap forward in the playoffs: “It was very important, also because last year his final, except for the last match, was a very complex series. This year in general throughout the playoffs, however the final part of the season, he shot very well and had a very positive balance between assists and turnovers. Even yesterday he had a beautiful first half, then he entered the second half a little faded, he lost several balls too many. But I think he did his job very well in a team that was not easy to lead”. Is the will to keep it? “Definitely talk to him, then we’ll see what expectations he has”.
There National and the growth of the players, speaking of Tonut’s seasonal step forward: “Here it is Milan that is for the national team. Let’s clear this up straight away. Here is what the clubs do for 11 months that is good for the national team. It’s not the other way around. It has always been like this and I coached the national team for years. So with all due respect and love for Gianmarco and President Petrucci, let’s say it calmly. Here it is the clubs, the coaches, who make sure that these players improve, gain confidence, play well, etc., etc. It’s not the other way around. It’s not a month of activity that then makes us reflect on that… Well, this moment did a lot of good. because he made a big leap in quality here and now I’m sure it will also be reflected in his performance with the national team. And it’s not the Olimpia coach who says it, but someone who has coached the national team for many years”.
On the great results of youth: “We are happy with one thing that, year after year, we have many boys in the various youth national teams. This is a very, very beautiful thing and, among these, perhaps there will be two or three who will be able to become players for the first team. Let’s hope so. Meanwhile, they are all 17-18 years old, so they are young“.
