Olimpia’s first game at the arena formerly known as Palalido (now Allianz Cloud) was against Varese in 1960. It was a top-seeded showdown between two teams that would dominate the next two decades of Italian basketball. One of the great classics of Italian basketball, which at times recalled the historic rivalries of the Italian sport and divided the Italian basketball community, returns to Milan’s Monday Night event at its natural home in Piazza Stuparich. Olimpia intends to further fuel its comeback in the standings. Olimpia is now sitting one win away from the top spot currently shared by Bologna and Brescia. The clash with Germani is just around the corner (next Sunday), so this is already a crucial moment of the season, and it’s important to add to current seven-game winning streak.
Tip-off time in Allainz Cloud, Milan, on Monday, January 26th, will be at 20:00.
COACH BEPPE MANGONE – “Fast breaks, pace, transition play, and one-on-one in the open court are Varese’s trademarks. They’re a team that shoots a lot from three-point range and is capable of great offensive runs, especially when they manage to impose their own pace. The addition of Carlos Stewart and Ike Iroegbu has increased the quality and solidity of their guard unit, made up of great athletes and great runners. We’ll have to play a disciplined defensive game to control their pace and vary our offensive options.”
OPENJOBMETIS VARESE OUTLOOK – The latest arrival in Varese is the leading scorer: Carlos Stewart Jr., a twenty-three-year-old point guard in his first year as a professional (he comes from Santa Clara). After starting the season in Hamburg, he arrived in Varese, where he averages 19.0 points per game, is shooting 65.9 percent from two, and 34.1 percent from three, but on 6.8 attempts per game. Another player who was signed during the season is Ike Iroegbu, a creative point guard averaging 15.9 points and 5.1 assists per game. The forwards are Davide Alviti and Tazè Moore. Alviti, who plays over 30 minutes per game, is shooting 41.4 percent from three on 6.2 attempts per game, then grabs 4.1 rebounds and scores 11.4 points per game, shooting very rarely from two (less than two attempts per game). Moore, also a player who has played over 30 minutes, averages 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per night. Finnish international Olivier Nkamhoua averages 16.1 points and 6.7 rebounds, while shooting 57.2 percent from two. These are the key players on Coach Kastritis’ team. Then there’s Matteo Librizzi, a product of the Varese youth system, who made his national team debut this year and is averaging 9.9 points per game on 38.2 percent on threes. Guard Allerik Freeman is the sixth foreign player (averaging 4.5 points). Elisee Assui, one of Italy’s top prospects, averages 22.4 minutes, usually coming off the bench, and produces 4.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per night.
THE VARESE CONNECTION – Nico Mannion played 21 games with Varese, spanning two seasons, scoring 445 points and dishing out 136 assists. Bryant Dunston spent one season in Varese during his 2012/13 season. Davide Alviti, who has been with Varese for two years, played 66 games with Olimpia between 2021 and 2023, winning two league titles and one Italian Cup, scoring 176 points in the league.
