By Еurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic announced on social media that basketball is returning to Rome.
The Los Angeles Lakers star is one of the main investors in a group that bought Vanoli Cremona and transferred its sporting title to the Italian capital.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Doncic opened up about achieving a long-term goal: “It’s been a long-time dream of mine to own a team in Europe, and it’s truly incredible that this dream has finally come true.”
The project aims to return Rome to the upper echelons of the sport. Doncic expressed high expectations for the relocated franchise.
“Vanoli Cremona has a great history behind them, and we are ready to take it to new levels in Rome. We have an extraordinary group of partners, and I truly believe we can achieve something special for basketball in Italy and in Europe.”
Former Dallas Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson is leading the project alongside Doncic and Rimantas Kaukenas. Nelson explained how the plan originally came together: “We started talking while having breakfast like two old friends, and now we are here.”
Nelson made it clear that despite Doncic’s active playing career, the NBA star remains the central figure in the front office.
“I’ll just say this: no decision will be made without him. And soon he will be in Rome: but not to play, maybe that at the end of his career. Luka is enthusiastic.”
Nelson also addressed the relocation from Cremona and their respect for the club’s past.
“I care to show our respect to Mr. Vanoli and to the incredible fans of Cremona. We are very sensitive to the topic, we have a twinship planned between the two realities.”
To respect the city’s basketball history, the group has brought in legendary Italian coach Valerio Bianchini as a guiding figure.
“Rome is a great sleeper: we must wake it up. We want to be an extension of the fans and the history of this city, and that is why Valerio Bianchini is a pillar of the project. He has his hands on the helm of our ship, he is a sort of godfather.“
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