Olimpia Milano: Day One of a Season Full of Meaning

The new season has officially begun for Olimpia Milano, as coach Ettore Messina’s team held its first training session today. It’s a pivotal year in the club’s history — on January 9, 2026, Olimpia will turn 90 — and equally significant because this will also be Messina’s final season as head coach. At the end of the campaign, he’s expected to pass the reins to his designated successor, Peppe Poeta, who returns to the Forum after a standout year leading Germani Brescia.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that nearly the entire roster is already available. Only two players are currently away with their national teams: Marko Guduric, the marquee summer signing, is with EuroBasket favorites Serbia, while Pippo Ricci remains the lone representative of Italbasket after Stefano Tonut was cut due to injury. The club is proceeding cautiously with Josh Nebo, Vlatko Čančar, Lorenzo Brown, and Ellis, especially the first two, who are returning from serious injuries and were at the center of controversy for declining call-ups to the Slovenian national team.

Milano’s first significant test will come on September 3, in a friendly against ratiopharm Ulm. More than just a preseason game, it will also be the first match against Diego Garavaglia, the promising 2007-born prospect who left Olimpia in search of playing time and exposure in European competitions. The club still hopes to see him return to the senior team someday — unless the NBA comes calling first. 

This match will be an early gauge for a largely revamped roster. Olimpia’s transformation has been quiet but decisive. At the management level, Daniele Baiesi replaces Vacirca, and there’s been a full overhaul of the medical staff, with respected professionals Francesco Cuzzolin and Giustino Danesi exiting, and Kostas Chatzichristos arriving. Chatzichristos brings an impressive resume from stints with Olympiacos, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce, and the Greek national team.

As for the players, some key names are looking for redemption. Shavon Shields is determined to bounce back from a disappointing campaign. Nico Mannion, left off the national team roster, and Josh Nebo, who played only 9 games last season, also have something to prove. Armoni Brooks showed clear improvement during the playoffs and is expected to take another leap. More is also expected from Leandro Bolmaro, and Zach LeDay — one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 2024–25 season — will again be a key figure.

 

Among the newcomers, in addition to Čančar, Ellis, and Guduric, are Devin Booker, coming off his best EuroLeague season, and veteran Bryant Dunston, who shares not only experience but also jersey number 42 with former leader Kyle Hines.
And finally, the marquee signing: Lorenzo Brown. At 35 years old, Milano hopes he can still resemble the player who led Spain to the EuroBasket title in 2022.
Thus begins a crucial month of preparation leading into the Supercoppa, which last year offered false hope. This time around, the stakes — and expectations — are higher than ever.