The 28-year-old American played with Russell at the Merlins, last year he was in the Champions League with Cholet
TREVISO.Treviso Basket has found the first of the two long foreigners it needs: his name is Aaron Jones, he is number four, 28 next July 26, American, 206 cm, 104 kilos. The always prudent diesse Andrea Gracis yesterday was unbalanced: “We are very close”, in the last hours the acceleration of the negotiations that led to the white smoke.
For his part, Jones could say “DeWayne Russell sent me”: the two were in fact teammates in Germany at the Crailsheim Merlins, so it is assumed that they already have a rather refined understanding. Furthermore Jones, a fundamental characteristic for an absolute freshman at European level like De ‘Longhi, brings with him a good international experience, gained last season in the final phase of the Champions League with the shirt of Cholet: with the French club he produced 7.6 points (59% from two) and 3.6 rebounds in 22 minutes in Pro A, previously he had played in Greece at Rethymno (6, and in the final phase of 2019-20 in Spain in Bilbao. Ole Miss Rebels, Mississippi (6 points third year).
In Germany, as well as with the Merlins, he had shown up in Cologne, before going to Bulgaria and Finland. At least he is one that European basketball knows well. As characteristics he seems to be more a solid man-team than a protagonist, more defender and rebounder than attacker, with some problems in free throws, so it is presumable that the other long foreigner who will arrive, the number five, the replacement of Mekowulu landed in Sassari, is a more gifted and dangerous player from an offensive point of view.
In summary, the situation in TvB at the beginning of July is the following: the contracted players are Russell, Imbrò, Akele, Sokolowski, Chillo, Casarin and Piccin, assuming that he is included among the owners; Jones will soon join these. So 5 Italians and 3 foreigners: at least one 2-3 shooter and the center-gun are missing, both foreigners, and apparently also an Italian winger (Bortolani).
And anyway players who, as coach Max Menetti prefers, have the qualities to cover at least a couple of roles. Ultimately the roster, compared to the last championship, will have changed by half (a year ago seven out of ten were new) but also greatly rejuvenated by the presence of the 18 year old Casarin and the 20 year old Bortolani: in any case, Menetti’s work will not be indifferent to together all the pieces, chosen above all on the basis of the criterion of mutual compatibility, in any case having an already consolidated base can constitute a good starting point.
Also because there will not be a lot of time to assemble old and new, given that the season this year, with the Champions League preliminaries on 13 September, will start well earlier than usual. And of course, as is traditional, the coach hopes to have the full roster on 2 August, the day of the rally.
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