Team Focus: Lottomatica Roma

Lottomatica Roma will mark the 25th anniversary of its only Euroleague crown by making its third consecutive appearance in the top continental competition for the first time in club history. Moreover, the club has put together a star-studded roster that will have its eyes on the prize this season. Among the major new faces are former Euroleague champ Sani Becirovic, veteran center Primoz Brezec, reliable power forward Andre Hutson and American high school sensation Brandon Jennings. Roma head coach Jasmin Repesa also will have many of the stars of last year’s squad back, including playmaker Ibby Jaaber, swingman Rodrigo De La Fuente and shooter Allan Ray to round out a deep, versatile roster. There is plenty of reason for excitement in the Italian capital this season as Lottomatica arrives with the potential, experience and talent to go deep in this 2008-09 Euroleague Basketball season.

Jaaber and Becirovic look to anchor a deep backcourt that features a plethora of offensive weapons. Jaaber shined this summer with the Bulgarian national team this summer and has displayed the skills needed on both ends of the floor to become a Euroleague star. Becirovic, a young veteran at age 27, is the ideal combo-guard as he possesses the shooting and penetration abilities to score at will as well as the court vision to create for others. Ray hopes to improve on his Euroleague debut season offering excellent shooting range, explosiveness and strong on-the-ball defense. Jennings is considered one of the top prospects worldwide at point guard. He dominated high school basketball in the United States due to his athleticism, quickness and jumping skills, but the step up to the Euroleague level presents many question marks for a young, untested player. If Jennings can adjust his explosive game to play against grown-up men, he can join forces with Jaaber to form a deadly point guard combo. Jacopo Giachetti will look to show that his injury is a thing of the past by providing intensity, court sense and the occasional three-pointer when it matters.


De La Fuente returns at small forward to offer experience, defense and know-how, doing those little things that help a good team even better. Roberto Gabini is a hard-nosed, versatile forward whose fighting spirit and shooting range are always appreciated. Hutson is a blue-collar power forward, who combines great mid-range shooting with superb rebounding and post skills. Angelo Gigli is a mobile big man that can bury the outside shot, crash the defensive boards and run the break. Team captain Alessandro Tonolli enters his 15th season with Roma. He is a three-point specialist and a hard-nosed defender at power forward. Brezec is back in the Euroleague after nearly a decade ready to offer size, savvy post skills and determination. Brezec is at the prime of his career and could be one of the biggest steals of the off-season market.

Coach Repesa has always liked the up-tempo game with many three-point attempts combined with an aggressive defense and he now has the perfect team to do just that with players like Ray, Jennings and Jaaber. Repesa can also slow down the game tempo with Becirovic, trying to get Brezec and Hutson involved in the low post. Those game styles will make things tough on opposing defenses and turn Lottomatica into an unpredictable team which will aim for the Top 16 and beyond as it celebrates a quarter century since its greatest Euroleague success.