By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Achille Polonara underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in Bologna after being diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in June.
Following up with an emotional message on social media from the hospital, the 33-year-old forward of Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari updated his health status on Thursday.
“Everything is fine with the transplant,” he shared.
He previously overcame testicular cancer and returned to action midway through the 2023-24 season. Looking to get medically cleared and bouncing back one more, the next comeback will be with Sassari in Italy’s LBA UnipolSai and FIBA Europe Cup.
Following the previous spell between 2017 and 2019, which was headlined by a Europe Cup title, the native of Ancona reunited with Giganti during the offseason, after parting ways with Virtus Segafredo Bologna. His 2024-25 journey went from 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game to 6.7 points per contest across all domestic competitions.
Resurfacing in his home country and joining Vu Nere in 2023, Polonara upped his total of EuroLeague appearances to 179, combined with his stints at Kirolbet/TD Systems Baskonia, Fenerbahce Beko, Zalgiris, and Anadolu Efes through the previous four years. He is also a veteran of 36 appearances in the 7DAYS EuroCup, 14 in the Basketball Champions League, and 24 in the Europe Cup.
Beyond the club level, he became a regular with the senior national team of Italy over recent years, making his way to several FIBA tournaments, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.