NDN: Why do you declare for the NBA draft?
DG: After a not so easy regular season with Olimpia Milano, we
have succeeded and qualified for the playoffs. In my opinion, being
a go-to-guy player for a glorious team like Milano in the Italian
League and in Euroleague is a great honor. After these accomplishments
I probably feel ready to take on the challenge of playing at a higher
level, but first I would like to help my team to do as best we can.
NDN: Your father Vittorio was an important player for Olimpia Milano
in the 80’s and right now one of the most respected agents
in Europe. How much does his opinion mean to you?
DG: His opinion means a lot to me. Obviously because he knows the
basketball environment. Also my mom always has good advice for me,
we are very close and her opinion is important as well.
NDN: Do you feel ready to join an NBA team next year?
DG: I’m only 19 and I have a lot work to do, technically and
also physically. I practice with my staff on fundamentals and on
my body with the physical trainer whenever I can. In case I decide
to face the NBA, I know I have to train harder if I want to make
my body ready for a higher level of competition.
NDN: Has playing in the NBA been a dream of yours for along time?
Which team do you like the most?
DG: The NBA is a dream for everybody. When I was a child, I use
to watch a lot of NBA on television. I admired Michael Jordan's
games with the Chicago Bulls in the 90’s as they were my favourite
team. Although, its not my only dream, because I also want to become
one of the best players in the world.
Are you in touch with Andrea Bargnani or Marco Belinelli? Have
they given you any advice?
DG: Yes, I’m in touch with them both, especially with “The
Magician” (Bargnani). We talked together last summer during
the Italian national team preparation. I’m not afraid of my
future, but the experience of Andrea and Marco is useful to understand
that the NBA is different from Europe and you have to work hard
to succeed.
NDN: Which players do you think your skills most closely resemble?
DG: It’s difficult to judge yourself, a lot of people compare
me to Detlef Schrempf or Dejan Bodiroga. I’m proud of these
comparisons, but I'm trying to improve myself and become a better
player day by day. Bodiroga is a legend, a true winner and I’m
only 19 and I have a lot of work to do. If at the end of my career
I collect half of the awards of these two great players, I will
be happy enough. In the NBA I admire Tayshaun Prince of Detroit
Pistons, he’s one of my favourite players. He has good athleticism,
he’s an excellent outside shooter and a clutch player also
on defense.
NDN: You missed the European Championships in Spain over the summer
due to an injury. How frustrating was that?
DG: I've played with the NT during the summer but a knee injury
stopped me in the last quarter of a friendly match against Latvia.
This was a frustrating episode because I fell short of reaching
one of my goals of going to the European Championships and Italy
also didn’t qualify for the 2008 Olympics even if we had a
good team.
NDN: Italian NT is counting on you, Bargnani, Belinelli and Hackett
to qualify for the 2009 European Championships. What are your feelings
for your National team?
DG: I want to play with the Italian NT with other young guys, but
we're speaking about the future. I have experienced playing for
the Senior National Team last summer and I enjoyed the experience.
I’ve spoken with the Italian NT coach Carlo Recalcati and
I am available to play in the qualifications.
NDN: You’re having a wonderful season for Armani Jeans Milano
averaging 17.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 34 minutes per game. What are
your goals for the Italian League playoff?
DG: We have to play against Montegranaro, one of the surprises
of this season and maybe in the semifinals against Siena, one of
the best teams in Europe. I hope all goes well, and only after the
end of the season I will make a final decision on my future.
*Special thanks to Luca Codato
