Greetings from MATTEO Spagnolo
Participation in 2015 with Aurora Brindisi.
He wears the jersey of the Italian National Team and was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. In 2018, he moved to Real Madrid, thus becoming the first Italian player to join the youth sector of the “blancos.” He has played for Vanoli Cremona and currently wears the jersey of Aquila Trento.
“”I think the Minibasket in Piazza Tournament, in Matera, was one of the best experiences I had as a kid. It was very competitive and very well organized. The village was beautiful, and I personally had a lot of fun both on and off the court.”
MATTEO Spagnolo
Greetings from DAVIDE Moretti
Participation in 2010 with Scuola Minibasket Roseto degli Abruzzi.
With his determination, he reaches the NCAA finals in 2019 with Texas Tech University. Since 2021, he has been playing for VL Pesaro in Serie A, but he has worn other jerseys such as Olimpia Milano, Pistoia Basket, Universo Treviso, and the Italian National Team.
“The tournament in Matera is one of those events that I still remember with great joy, not only because my team and I managed to win, but also because it was my first tournament against foreign teams from all over the world. I still vividly remember the final played indoors due to rain against a team from Estonia, with the arena packed with people cheering for us, being the Italian team.
I wish good luck to all the participating boys and teams, enjoy every day of this beautiful tournament.”
DAVIDE Moretti
Greetings from ALESSANDRO Gentile
Participation in the Tournament in 2004 with Artus Maddaloni.
He has worn the jersey of the Italian National Team and of the main Italian Serie A clubs such as Olimpia Milano, Virtus Bologna, Aquila Trento, as well as that of Panathinaikos.
“I remember perfectly the Tournament in Matera in 2004, the first one I participated in but also the one I am most fond of. The first time away from home but with my teammates, the amazement of meeting so many boys of different nationalities, the anticipation for the games, the excitement that makes you not feel tired, the happiness of being together chasing that ball that allows us to play the most beautiful game I know.
Have fun!!!”
ALESSANDRO Gentile
Greetings from LUKASZ Kolenda
He participated in the Tournament in 2010.
At 19 years old, he was called up to the Polish national team and was at the World Championships in Beijing. He wore the jersey of Trefl Sopot and currently plays for Slask Wroclaw.”
“I left my heart in Matera. The tournament with the beautiful name ‘Minibasket in Piazza’ is the most prestigious in the world, both in terms of basketball and organization. During the parade through the city streets, there is a fantastic atmosphere that stole my heart, with so many young boys. As a young basketball expert, I was impressed by the basketball level of the participants. At that time in Poland, we had won all the tournaments in our age category. In Matera, we went far, but in the quarterfinals, we hit a wall. It was the cunningly planned objective of our coach Edward to show us the level of basketball in the world. More than 60 teams took part, 17 of which came from different continents. I was impressed by the unique city and its history. My first coach Edoardo took our team to European tournaments: Lithuania, Germany, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Italy (I’ve been to Fermo 4 times). During a single vacation, we covered several thousand kilometers. But Matera impressed me the most and will remain long in my memory.”
LUKASZ Kolenda
Greetings from NENE DIENE
“She participated in the Tournament in 2003 with New Basket Lecce.
She plays for Dike BK Napoli in Serie A1 and has worn the jerseys of Lucca, Livorno, Ferrara, as well as the Italian National Team.”
“I remember my tournament as a beautiful experience, perhaps because it was the first time I participated in a tournament ‘away from home,’ so I was very excited at the idea of spending an entire week with my teammates and participating in such an event. I still remember the amazement of seeing so many children like me playing and sharing my same passion and enthusiasm. It was a wonderful week that culminated in receiving an award from the organization for a school project titled ‘The Regions of the World,’ in which I recounted the story of my family’s migration to Italy. I always look back fondly on that week, and I’m glad that this tournament still exists and continues to fascinate and bring joy to many children throughout Italy.”
NENE Diene
Greetings from FEDERICA Giudice
She participated in the Tournament in 2010 with Cras Taranto.
She has played for Pallacanestro Femminile Umbertide in Serie A1, wore the jerseys of Milano, and has now returned to wear the PFU jersey in A2.”
“Minibasket in Piazza was perhaps the first serious competition I ever participated in. Seeing so many teams coming together from such a young age really adds significantly to one’s experience.
It remains a beautiful memory for me, especially because my team won!”
FEDERICA Giudice
Greetings from GIORGIA Amatori
“Participated in the Tournament in 2013, 2014, and 2015 with Enel Brindisi.
She wore the jersey of Molisana Campobasso and currently wears the jersey of A.S. Vicenza playing in A2.”
“I’ve had the fortune to participate in the ‘Minibasket in Piazza’ multiple times, and it has always been a beautiful and exciting tournament. It gave me the opportunity to meet and compete with other teams.”
GIORGIA Amatori
Greetings from VUK Scepanovic
Participated in the Tournament in 2018 with All Star Podgorica – Montenegro. Son of VLADO, he is now a true basketball promise, playing for Stella Azzurra Roma.
“Guys, get ready to live a fun experience that you’ll never forget!! It was my first tournament away from home, and it was exciting. That’s where I started to feel like a true basketball player because the tournament is very well organized.”
VUK Scepanovic
