Olimpia Milano, the most successful club in the history of Italian basketball will be honored at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago when founder George Randazzo presides over a press conference and on Wednesday, September 30th at 5 PM. A new exhibit with memorabilia of Olimpia Milano history as it celebrates the 80th Anniversary of its founding will be on display for the first time.  The team, which has been owned by icon stylist and fashion guru Giorgio Armani since 2008, will be in town to play Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first leg of the inaugural Euro Classic Basketball Tour. The game will be played on Thursday, October 1st at the United Center at 7 p.m. The teams then will travel to New York City where on Sunday, October 4th at 12 noon they will face-off again in Madison Square Garden.

The new exhibit will have Olimpia Milano memorabilia including their signature scarpette rosse.  The exhibit will also include photos of notable figures of the Club’s storied past, including 5 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Members:

Cesare Rubini- who as player, coach or administrator set the standard for excellence by winning 15 Italian League Championships, 1 European Cup of Champions, 3 Cup of Cups and directed the National Team to a silver medal in the 1980 Olympics. As a young man, he won a Olympic gold medal in water- polo for Italy (London 1948) and bronze medal (Helsinki 1952).

Sandro Gamba- as a player and then assistant coach formed the best coaching-tandem in the history of Italian basketball, and played or coached the team to 10 Italian League Championships, 1 European Cup of Champions title, 2 Cup of Cup Winners titles and coached the Italian team to its only Olympic medal in its history, silver in 1980 (Moscow).

Dino Meneghin- after 14 successful seasons in Varese, transferred to Milan and won 5 Italian League Championships, 2 European Cup of Champions titles, 1 Intercontinental Cup title and 2 Italian Cups. Led the Italian team to the silver medal in the 1980 Olympics (Moscow).

Senator Bill Bradley- While a student at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, commuted to Milan and led Olimpia Milano to its first European Cup of Champions title in 1966, teaming with U. of Illinois alumnus Dwayne “Skip” Thoren. Bill Bradley joined the NY Knicks and won the N.B.A. Championship in 1970 & 1973.

Bob McAdoo- won the N.B.A. title in 1982 & 1985. Won 3 Italian League titles, 2 European Cup of Champions titles, 1 Intercontinental Cup title and 1 Italian Cup.

Mike D’Antoni – Number 8 was retired on March 13, 2015. Mike played 13 seasons for Olimpia Milano and Leading Scorer of all-time (5,573 points) and Games Played (455 games). His teams won 5 Italian League Championships, 2 European Cup of Champions titles, 1 Intercontinental Cup title and 2 Italian Cups.

Arthur Kenney – Number 18 was retired on May 10, 2013. Affectionately known as Arturo, he played 3 seasons in Milano during which the team’s winning percentage was 84.3%. He averaged a career double-double with a 53.4% field-goal shooting percentage. His teams won 1 Italian League title, 2 European Cup of Cup Winners titles and 1 Italian Cup.

Mike Sylvester – Born in Cincinatti, Ohio, played at Dayton University, Mike payed 3 seasons for Olimpia Milano and won the silver medal playing for Italy in the 1980 Olympic Games (Moscow).

Dante Calabria – Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Dante played for legendary coach Dean Smith at UNC and played for Olimpia Milano for 3 seasons.

Mason Rocca – Born in Evanston, Illinois, and like Sen. Bradley, is an alumnus of Princeton University. Mason played 4 seasons for Olimpia Milano and served as team captain.

John Gianelli – Born in Stockton, CA and John played for Olimpia Milano for three seasons winning the Italian League title in 1982. He was on the NY Knicks Championship team in 1973.