«I am certainly very happy, we are very excited about the goal achieved. It is an objective that we will probably metabolize in the next few days. Personally, there is no time to think about anything other than the national team, because an important period begins with the pre-Olympic. Regarding this year’s journey, I am super happy with the responsibility and role that the coach, the staff and my teammates have given me. I knew that last year could be complicated, with ups and downs, but this year I wanted to make a difference from the start. The coach, Ettore, immediately gave me a different role and responsibilities from the beginning of the season. I’m happy to have repaid the trust from the first moment. In the last two or three months, I have remained permanently in the starting five, playing important minutes and marking important opponents. This makes me happy and proud. The icing on the cake, after a year of ups and downs at team level, especially in the Euroleague, is the Scudetto that we managed to win.»
ON THE DEFENSE ON BELINELLI
«Was my defense on Belinelli the key? In fact, it was for everyone. Every player who entered the field in these play-offs was decisive. Before the final, I was asked why we had to win the scudetto and I replied because we are a team. After game 1 against Trento, where we took a good beating, we played more and more cohesive and united. This has also been seen in difficult fields such as those of Trento or Brescia. We are all super happy.”
ON THE LACK OF BREAKS
«You never really switch off. We will take today and tomorrow to rest, but then we will be ready for the national team again. There isn’t much time to prepare for the big games. I’m happy from a physical point of view because I’m fine so far, so I’ll arrive well-loaded. A few days are enough for me to mentally disconnect from the matches, but I will start training again soon and be ready.»
ON THE FUTURE
«I think it’s a matter of days to decide my future. My priority was to think about the end of the championship and finish it in the best way. I have an option to stay here and we will have to understand the wishes of the club and the coach. My will is to stay. When I signed two years ago I knew about the initial difficulties, but I would be happy to stay and continue this growth.»
ON EUROLEAGUE
«It’s difficult, but stimulating. My goal was to play at the highest level possible, and that was it. Every game in the Euroleague is a battle and keeps you mentally and physically super busy. In the championship, you still have to win despite reduced energy. Playing against the best players in Europe was an important stimulus for my personal growth.»
ON ITS GROWTH
«I carry with me this awareness which has also grown with the team. I will arrive ready for the national team and I hope to start my third year here maintaining my concentration. My goal at the beginning of the year is always to be as consistent as possible, despite the ups and downs. This year I think I did it better than last year and I will try to do even better next year.»
