Dino Meneghin was acquired by Olimpia Milan in the summer of 1981. It was an historical turning point for Italian basketball, because until then Dino Meneghin had been a symbol of Varese: he grew up in the city, he was a member of the youth academy and then the star of a team that won five European titles. But Varese had to rebuild and solved many problems by trading him. The story of his coming to Milan is described by Dino himself.

“I had two offers, from Venice and Milan. I chose Milan because it was a club with great experience and history, a team who wanted to win, well organized with very few people empowered to make a decision: there was Gabetti, the general manager Cappellari and Dan Peterson. In Varese it was the same with Borghi, Gualco, Nikolic or the other coaches. Then Milano was close to Varese, I was close to my family, parents, brother, my son. The closeness was decisive.

“They called me Doctor Gibaud because I got hurt so many times. In Milan they saw me as smoke in the eyes, because I was a rival. Then I came and got hurt. It was a crazy time. Getting hurt at 20 is one thing, at 31 is another. I thought of recovery, but also felt for those who had traded for me and probably were desperate, even if they never let me feel any pressure. The fans said I was old. The first month I was always alone in the little gym at the top of Palalido with Claudio Trachelio. Not a word, no pressure from the club.

“I remember the first game back in Rieti. The first possession was on defense, I took the rebound and I heard “Bravo Dino”. It was Roberto Brunamonti from behind, he was and is a friend of mine: he encouraged me, because it was the first thing as a real player that I did in a long time. Opponents are considered enemies often, but they are often that they are extraordinary people instead.

“I had a two-year contract, I thought I’d play two years and then retire. But one day, Peterson told me that I should think about the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. I said yes, sure, I thought he was crazy, but maybe that it struck a chord in my brain, inspired some positive thinking. Then I was lucky enough to come to Milan and play with great champions, with Mike D’Antoni, John Gianelli, Roberto Premier, Vittorio Gallinari, Franco Boselli. They were not just teammates, but extraordinary people with whom I was very close off the court. I still remember the dinners at D’Antoni’s or Premier’s house. Or after games. A great relationship was built and went beyond jealousies. It was the same one I had in Varese with Bisson, Zanatta, Morse … I was lucky”.