The new director of Cantù speaks: “We too and Turin in the race for the A, keep an eye on Ferrara and Treviglio”
From the microphone to the desk, after having spent a lifetime on the bench. Fabrizio Frates, born in Milan in 1959, after a period as a commentator on TV this year is the technical director of Cantù Basketball. The A2 series begins on Sunday, a duel at the top between the Canturina club and the Apu Old Wild West is looming, and then we made the cards for the championship together with the former Dinamica Gorizia coach and Snaidero Udine.
Frates, a new adventure has begun for her in Cantù. What prompted you to make this choice?
«For me Cantù has a particular meaning. I spent wonderful years here, first in the youth sector, then as an assistant and on two separate occasions as head coach. Basically it’s my home, and I couldn’t say no to this proposal. There is also a great project, the desire to return to Serie A and the prospect of a new stadium ».
By all accounts Udine and Cantù are in the front row. Will it be the main duel of the season?
“On the one hand, I agree, because these are two companies that have made a great economic effort and will be among the contenders. But it will not be a simple two-way fight ».
What are the alternatives?
«For sure Turin, which in June reached a point from Serie A, even if now everything has changed. Then there are Scafati, always competitive, Ferrara which has grown further, Verona and Treviglio, who killed us and Udine in the Super Cup ».
Who will be the surprise?
«I really like Chiusi. A young club, he has put together a good team without dismantling the promotion group ».
The strengths of Udine?
«It is a team that has reached the play-off final and has confirmed the coach and the hard core of the roster. He already has a top-level experience and consolidated equilibrium, this is a small advantage. The coach is of the highest level and wants to bring Udine back to A1 for the second time. The APU will be the team to beat ».
What, however, are Cantù’s strengths?
“We have set up a different team. We looked for two US on the perimeter to empower Bayehe as a “five”. Our task is to bring the public closer together, between Covid and relegation. We have chosen a coach (Sodini, ed) who gives his basketball imprint in speed, building a roster on his dictates ».
Bet strongly on Stefan Nikolic, who found a nice springboard in Udine a few years ago.
«We chose it because it goes well with this project. It’s the decisive phase of his career, he has the right mentality and that’s why we bet on him ».
What is the best US A2 pair for you?
“With the balls stopped, I say that the really strong one is Lacey from APU, even if he has not yet been seen. We focus on Allen and Robert Johnson, a surprising and intriguing couple. I really like the Verona couple Anderson-Xavier Johnson. Then I say Pacher from Ferrara and Clarke from Scafati, they already know the championship and offer a sure performance ».
The best Italian in A2?
“Good question. As a technical skill, I think that Rosselli is still able to make a difference, he can cover all the roles from the play to the big forward. Cappelletti dell’Apu is very strong, of ours I point out Bucarelli, best young player of the last tournament. He has the size of a high-level player, he is a very futuristic play of two meters ».