“Utah Jazz? Few occasions, so it’s difficult. Banchero in the national team would be incredible»- Corriere.it

Simon Fontecchio
describes his experience in the NBA and the magic of playing for the first time at Madison Square Garden in New York, the temple of world basketball. I’ve been here for 4-5 months now and it’s a super nice, exciting experience every time. A completely different world, he comments after the game against the Knicks. This my first time in NYC, I’ve never been there. I was really excited. An incredible, crazy place. An audience like that, it was fun. 10 years after his debut in professional basketball, the 27-year-old from Pescara signed a two-year contract with the Utah Jazz, fulfilling his dream of playing in the NBA. Fontecchio received one vote to participate in the All Star Game. She pleased me. I don’t know who did it, but I thank him, she says with a big smile.

How difficult is it to always stay ready, conquer every second of the game and immediately pick up the pace as soon as you enter the field? Especially if you don’t play every game, I think it’s the hardest thing for a freshman in the NBA. Get used to this thing and trying to take advantage of every little opportunity that happens to you is the most complicated thing and not everyone succeeds: it takes a lot of patience, you have to try to remain calm, but at the same time energized, ready when given the opportunity, explains the small forward, who after an injury is struggling to remain continuously in the rotation. The Italians who know the American league, in particular the national team captain Nicol Melli, have given various suggestions to Fontecchio, the first Abruzzo native to land in the NBA. They were all kind, above all Nicol: we talk almost every day, we talk. He gives me advice, I tell him my experience. Surely, having been through a lot already, they are supportive and helpful.

Fontecchio has not yet had the opportunity to speak with the Italian-American Paolo Banchero, but he is convinced that a young talent of the caliber of the first pick of the 2022 draft could make a fundamental contribution to the Azzurri. I think it’s everyone’s hope that he can come and play with us. I know it’s a very important and difficult decision for him, so it’s only right that he takes his time and that we all respect his timing, he remarks, adding that it would be an incredible addition.

Fontecchio talks about the dream of the young Utah Jazz group: the playoffs. The goal is from the beginning. We know it’s not easy, especially after all the trading there has been in the market. For us we go to the field every game to win, we play our basketball and we hope to get there.