Fenerbahce's hard-working forward is now a champion after five years with the club
Tribute to the Champs: Nicolo Melli
Straipsnis
2 Minutė skaityti
It was a long time coming. After 13 seasons in the competition and having lost the 2018 EuroLeague Championship Game, Nicolo Melli is finally a EuroLeague champion.
Last summer, Nicolo Melli opted to rejoin Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul for a second stint. He previously spent two years at the club, reaching the 2018 title decider and another Final Four in 2019. At the age of 34, Melli got another opportunity to lift the EuroLeague trophy – and it was a case of third time's the charm for the Italian.
Melli is well-known for being one of the smartest defenders in the league, using his great basketball IQ to read the opponents' offense better than most. He has the numbers to prove it, ranking sixth all-time in rebounds (1,676) and 15th in blocked shots (162). Still, he was missing a EuroLeague title; Melli had a career-high 28 points in the 2018 Championship Game but Real Madrid, led by Final Four MVP Luka Doncic, took the trophy home.
This time, Melli had a very different role, leading Fenerbahce's second unit with his experience and toughness. He proved it in the semifinals against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, finishing the game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 4 fouls drawn for a PIR of 13 in less than 18 minutes. Melli buried an important three-pointer early in the fourth quarter which gave Fenerbahce a 58-48 lead. His all-around performance was crucial against the defending champions.
Melli had 5 points and 3 rebounds in the Championship Game against AS Monaco. He cried of happiness at the end of the game, sharing an emotional moment with head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and Marko Guduric. Melli was a big fan of 'Saras' growing up, and Guduric was also a first-time EuroLeague champion after losing with Melli in 2018. This time, everything clicked.
His celebration was iconic, wrapped up in a huge Italian fan. His longtime friend Gigi Datome had won the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce in 2017. Eight years later, Melli also claimed the EuroLeague crown after 343 career games.