By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Coming back from the Philippines after winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Germany, Maodo Lo has officially begun his adventure with Olimpia Milan, his first non-Italian club where he will play the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after representing Bamberg, Bayern Munich, and ALBA Berlin.
“First time for me playing the EuroLeague level outside of Germany. I played for all the big German clubs that competed in the EuroLeague, and it was good for my career. I think I developed well and grew as a player, but it was finally time. In Germany, I had my experiences and had success with teams. It was my ambition to try the next level and compete in a different team, a different country. I’m excited to do this now”, the 30-year-old player first stated about his past in the EuroLeague.
Coming off his 7th EuroLeague season by averaging 11.6 points and 2.9 assists per game, the German point guard had no doubts when Olimpia Milan’s head coach approached him this summer. “Knowing that the club had an interest in me in previous years it’s something which helped my decision because I knew there was genuine interest and there was not much to think about. When [Ettore] Messina called again I made my decision and I’m very happy about it”, he added.
In Mediolanum Forum, he will find once again two friends on the court. “Those are two people that I referred to and called before making my decision. Nik Melli is a great guy, and so is Jo Voigtmann. I know both and it was logical for me to approach them and talk to them. They’re making it easy for me to adjust here to get accepted, and adapt to the new club. Great human beings, and great players”, he said.
Having played with Melli and Voigtmann respectively in Brose Bamberg and with the German national team, he already knows how to deal with them while sharing the floor. “On the court, there are two players with a lot of basketball IQ, who understand the game and they make it easier, especially for a point guard. They’re always at the right spot, at the right time: it’s very easy to play with them”, Maodo Lo finally added.
PHOTO CREDIT: Olimpia Milan