Venezia will continue to rely on the players’ experience
Venezia will continue to rely on the players’ experience
The Italian reigning champions have made just some small adjustments on their roster this summer. It’s normal if you think they are a very content club, winning 2 times in the past 3 years the Legabasket trophy. Their secret is the unity of the group, the experience to play together for years, building strong relationships between the players on the court.
Venezia parted ways with Marquez Haynes and Julyan Stone, the point guards that had a crucial role in the offense last seasons and as well with the Italians Marco Giuri and Paul Biligha. The Eurocup newcomer has kept the veterans’ core (Gasper Vidmar, Michael Bramos, Michael Watt, Austin Daye), many of the with Euroleague level experience. To replace the departed the club has brought in two guards that know each other very well because they have played together last season for Avellino. It’s about Ariel Filloy and Jeremy Chappell, both of them very familiar with the Italian league.
Another strong addition for Umana Venezia is Ike Udanoh, the ex-captain of Cantu, who had last season some of the best numbers in the Italian championship. With Valerio Mazzola injured, the club decided to sign another Italian, Francesco Pellegrino who is coming from the 2nd league.
The most important advantage of the team is that almost all the players are around the age of 30 (between 27-32). They are an experienced group, not too young not to old to compete at the highest level. The chemistry exists already from the previous seasons and I am sure they can have a better chance than Trento to reach out from the Eurocup groups this season. But, they won’t be a serious title contender in Eurocup because the competition is becoming stronger this year. In Italy as well, it will be very hard for them to compete with Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna, extraordinary teams with huge budgets and very hungry for trophies.
Photo credit: championsleague.basketball
Gratian Cormos
Venezia will continue to rely on the players’ experience
