Guard Rob Gray
Following in the footsteps of GeVi Napoli, which since last year has undertaken a reconstruction process entrusted to the CEO Alessandro Della Salda (56), the cousins of the patron Givova Scafati In the Lombards they started a half-revolution with the aim of raising the bar and fighting for something more than a painful salvation.
In the corporate context, Eugenio Agostinelli (29), coming from Tezenis Verona (A2 series), took over from Nicola Egidio in the role of sports director. In the five years of experience with the Scaliger association he had the opportunity to collaborate with the current general manager from Scafata Alessandro Giuliani, who appreciated his organizational and scouting skills. The technical guidance was entrusted to Marcelo Nicola (53), coach with international experience and veteran of the two consecutive saves obtained with Treviso. In a totally renewed technical staff, the Argentine will be supported by assistant coaches Damiano Pilot (35) e Domenico Chiariello (26).
The first shots were not long in coming, focusing on experienced and confident Italian players and young prospects. He was signed as a point guard Alessandro Zanelli (32), who ended his last year as captain in Treviso with averages of 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Zanelli returns to the south after four splendid seasons spent in Brindisi, culminating with the 2020 Italian Cup final against Venice and the Scudetto semi-final lost against Virtus Bologna in 2020-21.
The signing of has arrived on the perimeter Federico Miaschi (24), 200 cm wing guard weighing 90 kg. Trained in the youth sector of the glorious Reyer Vanezia, with whom he made his debut in Serie A at just sixteen years old, Miaschi awaits his definitive consecration in LBA after having played four consecutive seasons of excellent quality in A2. The last one, with Treviglio’s jersey, closed with averages of 16.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 28.5 minutes of use. To crown the constant growth path, the call arrived from the technical commissioner of the Italian national team, Gianmarco Pozzecco (51), on the list of 30 pre-called up for the Pre-Olympic tournament.
Under the boards he will try to carve out space and make the starting center catch his breath Scott Ulaneo (26), 206 cm pivot for 98 kg. Raised as a basketball player in the ranks of Stella Azzurra Roma, with whom he won the Italian Under 19 Championship of Excellence in 2015, he continued his career in the United States, concluding his university experience in NCAA2 with Davenport University (15.5 points and 7 .5 rebounds on average). In Brindisi he made appearances in both the LBA and the Basketball Champions League, while in the season just ended he contributed to the salvation of Openjobmetis Varese with 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.9 minutes of use.
Having laid the foundations for the Italian department, attention shifted to foreigners, signing two names of high international standing. Let’s talk about Robert Dejuan Gray jr. (30), combo-guard of 185 cm and 82 kg winner of the 2021 EuroCup as MVP with Monaco and Frank Leo Mason III (30), who before getting noticed in Europe with Nancy played the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic.
A deadly shooting guard one-on-one and with excellent percentages from the arc, Gray moved to the Old Continent in March 2019. In France he wore the shirts of Bourg-en-Bresse and Boulogne-Levallois, before joining AS Monaco. With the Principality team he won the 2021 EuroCup as a protagonist, awarded MVP of the final series (24 points on average against Unics Kazan) and played in the Euroleague the following year. In the summer of 2022 he signed with Tofas Bursa, confirming his prolificacy in attack (18.2 points in the Turkish championship and 22.5 in the Basketball Champions League). In the season just ended he played in Ukraine for Prometey, scoring 12.9 points in 19 minutes of average usage, and then flew to Spain, to Breogan, after being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the EuroCup.
The control room will be entrusted to Mason. With strong leadership skills, she is devastating in the open field, taking advantage of her important physical skills and speed. Awarded MVP of the entire NCAA Division I with Kansas, in 2017 he was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Draft with the 34th overall pick, collecting 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 18.8 minutes of use in the 52 games played by rookie. Having moved to Europe in 2022, he played the last 18 months with French side Nancy, closing the 2023/24 season with averages of 15.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
GIVOVA SCAFATI
Coach: Marcelo Nicola
PM: Frank Mason, Alessandro Zanelli
J: Rob Gray
AP: Federico Miaschi
AG:
C: Scott Ulaneo
Arrivals: Scott Ulaneo (Varese), Alessandro Zanelli (Treviso), Federico Miaschi (Piacenza), Marcelo Nicola (coach), Rob Gray (Breogan), Frank Mason (Nancy)
Outgoing/Expiring: Gerry Blakes, Gerald Robinson, Alessandro Gentile, Riccardo Rossato, Kruize Pinkins, John Nunge (Le Portel), Giovanni Pini (Udine), Julian Gamble, Sek Henry, Aristide Mouaha, Matteo Boniciolli (coach)
