The Olympic high jump champion, protagonist of the celebrity match, will be back in Italy from Tuesday and will resume his preparation
Twenty-five thousand spectators in the stands (Jalen Brunson, star of the New York Knicks, included), the blue jersey no. 8, speakers and commentators who acclaim him as “The high jumper gold medalist”: Gianmarco Tamberi, at the NBA Celebrities All Star Game played at the Lucas Oli Stadium in Indianapolis on Friday night in Italy , he got noticed not only for his orange shoes. Starting from the bench and coming on after just over 4 minutes of play, he practically never left the field again. And it matters little if his team, just like in the first experience two years ago, didn’t win. Some of the blue’s dunks, once again, soon went viral. Outside the snow, inside the fire of an event like no other.
Gimbo, what was your experience?
“Beautiful. I’ve had a blast since I arrived on Wednesday. How could it have been different? On Thursday, for one, I played for six hours on a pitch in front of the hotel…”.
Was it a full basketball immersion? “Absolutely: you know how passionate he is. I like experiencing basketball this way. Since October it was the first time I unplugged. After months of intense preparation, I needed it. And I came out of the match unscathed… Apart from my upper lip being massacred in the first action: I was bleeding, I put some ice on it and covered myself with my arm, otherwise they would have let me out.”
He had promised to win the title of best player of the match, which instead went to Micah Parsons, linebacker of the Dallas Cowboys of NFL football, capable of 37 points and 16 rebounds…
“I had the impression that many people cared about the MVP. It’s a shame, because in my Team Stephen A, many played for themselves, individually. This is also why we lost. At a certain point I got a little tired of not receiving a ball and I too started thinking only of myself. From this point of view, even though the team could potentially be stronger, it was less fun than last time.”
The rest was done by his innate competitive spirit…
“I can’t help but always give my best and respect the majority, being in full preparation for an Olympics, I was much better trained. I teased some opponents, we did some trash talking, I defended, I stole some balls, I spiked without opposition. Without therefore running any risk”.
Will you be a spectator at all the other events of the weekend?
“Certainly, and it’s not out of the question that I’ll take part in a three-on-three tournament on Sunday morning. Then on Monday I’ll leave again and on Tuesday morning I’ll be back in Italy, focused on my goals.”
With a few more gadgets?
“Everything logged in the NBA will come home with me. Now I have two playing outfits, not everyone’s thing… And Furlani’s 8.34 long? What a phenomenon…”.
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