Emiliano Carchia: Gianmarco Pozzecco (via Gazzetta dello Sport): “Melli is the best player in the world. Nic has a sensational IQ in basketball and not only on the basketball court. I have never seen someone like him in my 40 years of basketball. He always knows what to do in any game situation.”
Nicolo Melli Rumors
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Nicolo Melli
Position: -
Born: 01/26/91
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:236 lbs. / 107 kg.
Earnings: $8,000,000 ($9,225,621*)
Born: 01/26/91
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:236 lbs. / 107 kg.
Earnings: $8,000,000 ($9,225,621*)
Italy booked their ticket to the Round of 16 in the last game of the night by beating Croatia with the two teams sharing a 2-2 record and the tie-breaker over Estonia which has a 1-3 record. The final score was 81-76 with the duo of Simone Fontecchio and Nicolo Melli scoring 19 points each for the winning side. Bojan Bogdanovic was a one-man offense for Croatia but his 27 points were not enough.
Naturally when you are hosting the Eurobasket, even a group phase, you have ambitions. And that was the case with Italy, which got the easy 83-62 win over Estonia. The hosts of Group C had a 52-33 halftime lead and finished early the game behind 19 points by Simone Fontecchio on 7/10 FG and 17 points by Nikolo Melli on 7/12 FG.
Melli, 30, made his return to Europe official in early July, way before actually considering potential NBA options for him. He spent the last couple of seasons in the NBA logging 108 games played between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. “I signed for Olimpia before the NBA free agency even began, so I made a clear choice,” he explained, “When I spoke to Coach Messina, what he offered me both individually and as a team won me over. That’s why I have no regrets. I am happy with my NBA experience, but I am also happy to be here, very motivated by the challenges that await us.”
Nicolo Melli nearing a deal to play in Italy
Olimpia Milano is close to bringing forward Nicolo Melli back in EuroLeague. The two sides had been having long conversations for quite some time and, as Eurohoops has learned, they are now nearing a deal.
Milano has been making a big effort to acquire Melli and bring him back in the Forum after they parted ways in 2015. Following some recent talks last week, the Italian club was cautiously optimistic that an agreement will be reached and things are moving towards that direction.
Nicolo Melli wants to remain in the NBA
Nicolo Melli will consider his options and is expected to make a decision regarding his future after helping Italy in the approaching Olympic Qualifying Tournament, according to Eurohoops sources. Melli, 30, is set to become an NBA free agent. His focus remains on securing a contract to extend his NBA run past the 108 appearances so far between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks.
