By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
“I was told to come home. They said I wasn’t fast enough, strong enough, or good enough for the American dream. But I stayed.” This sentiment of defiance describes the story of The Basketball Dream – Marco Belinelli, a new documentary directed by Giorgio Testi that arrives in Italian cinemas today for a strictly limited three-day engagement on March 16, 17, and 18.
His story in the form of a movie marks a collaboration between Red Private and Rai Documentari. Through the lens of screenwriter Francesco Zippel, the narrative traces the meteoric yet turbulent rise of the boy from San Giovanni in Persiceto. The central tagline, “Nobody believed in me, but I won” (Nessuno credeva in me, ma ho vinto), serves as the heartbeat of the 87-minute feature, reflecting the skepticism Belinelli faced during lean NBA years.
The documentary reaches its emotional crescendo with the 2014 San Antonio Spurs championship season, where Belinelli became the first Italian to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The film is packed with testimonials, featuring family and friends, basketball between the Spurs core and several important rivals, and more.
Spanning 13 seasons and nine NBA teams before his triumphant return to Virtus Bologna in 2020 and retiring in 2025, Belinelli’s journey is now a lesson for the next generation. Partnering with the Giffoni Innovation Hub, special screenings on March 17 and 18 will target school groups to echo his mission: “Make it worth it” (Fate in modo che ne valga la pena).