{"id":35705,"date":"2020-09-14T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T08:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.demo.olimpia.iquii.info\/winning-in-italy-is-something-i-havent-done-this-is-what-gigi-datome-wants-to-do-in-milan\/"},"modified":"2020-09-14T10:00:59","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T08:00:59","slug":"winning-in-italy-is-something-i-havent-done-this-is-what-gigi-datome-wants-to-do-in-milan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olimpiamilano.com\/en\/winning-in-italy-is-something-i-havent-done-this-is-what-gigi-datome-wants-to-do-in-milan\/","title":{"rendered":"“Winning in Italy is something I haven’t done”: This is what Gigi Datome wants to do in Milan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gigi Datome is this guy with the big beard and the long hair, a social-media presence who is well-liked and appreciated everywhere<\/strong>. He likes himself and what he\u2019s done, but sometimes, sitting down and reflecting, he should take a time to consider how he defeated the odds, coming from a small town in an Italian island, a marvelous place, famous all around the world for several reasons, but certainly not for its ability to produce basketball players. His father was a great scorer, in the minor league. But Gigi is something else because Gigi wanted to be a professional player since day one, before he could probably realize how difficult the task was. The final score? Well, he became the Italian National Team captain, a EuroLeague-championship caliber player and somebody who was able to spend two years in the NBA, wearing the prestigious Boston Celtics jersey in the process.<\/p>\n

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU COULD BECOME A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER? –<\/strong> \u201cWhen I was in Siena I started to get the feeling that I could do it, because I was sharing the court with great professionals, like Galanda and Chiacig, players I was used to see with the National Team. Right there, I understood that I could try at least. Then I realized that I was comfortable in practice against them, then in some games, I was 18. Probably that\u2019s when I realized I could be a pro player.\u201d<\/p>\n

YOU WENT BEYOND THE EXPECTATIONS –<\/strong> \u201cI understood my limitations, I knew what I needed to do to improve, but my confidence was high. I thought that, given the right opportunity, the right situation, I could\u2019ve been able to show what I could do. Then, my search for the right situation was difficult and long, it took years. But at the end, I found it. Now, I\u2019m very happy about what has taken place\u201d.<\/p>\n

DID YOU SECOND-GUESS YOURSELF AT SOME POINT? –<\/strong> \u201cYes, I had some doubts, even during my last season in Siena when I struggled to gain minutes on the court, then Scafati and even in Roma, there have been seasons when I didn\u2019t have the opportunities I was looking for. With the National Team too. But I secluded myself in the gym, trying to get out of it through hard work. It\u2019s always been my mantra, what helped me to overcome difficulties. Between Roma and with the National team, eventually, I experienced great joys and so I forgot about the hard times\u201d.<\/p>\n

WHAT CHANGED IN ROME – \u201c<\/strong>I improved physically, I worked really well on my body, not just on my basketball skills, especially during the summers, even with the National Team. Then I got minutes on the court, and with minutes comes confidence. When you don\u2019t get subbed for a missed shot, you increase your awareness. I felt more responsible, I had a big role, I felt accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

HOW MUCH DID YOU CHANGE SINCE YOU LEFT ITALY? –<\/strong> \u201cIt was seven years ago, for an athlete is a long time, a lot of things happen to me, personally. I hope to be a better player and a better person. For sure, I\u2019m richer inside, for the experiences I had, the places I\u2019ve been in, the people that I met. I\u2019m not the same person, my attempt is to be better, but it\u2019s up to the others to judge.\u201d<\/p>\n

THE NBA EXPERIENCE<\/strong> – \u201cIt\u2019s been crazy, very intense, I was unders scrutiny a lot, I had to stay confident while all around me there was a lot of skepticism about my potential as an NBA player. It was a formative experience, who made me stronger. Fortunately, I finished it in Boston, where I enjoyed myself, had the chance to stay on the court and feel like an NBA player. To live in that world, for two years, has been huge. I\u2019m happy I got to experience this, despite the frustrations were bigger than the satisfactions. Like I said, I enjoydd myself and to do certain things in Detroit and especially in Boston for a basketball fan like me means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

HOW WAS FOR A BASKETBALL FAN WEARING THE CELTICS JERSEY? –<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s cool, it\u2019s cool to have it among my jerseys. When I go home, I always take a look at my old jerseys. The Pistons\u2019 one is cool too, but Boston\u2019s is special, it is still very similar to the historical one, the one who belonged to Larry Bird. Playing for the Celtics, in their arena, living in Boston as Celtics player, which gave me a lot of social advantages, so to speak, it\u2019s been great. To see my family name on that jersey is priceless, it makes the experience worthy to be lived.\u201d<\/p>\n