Nico Mannion's Ambitions with Rome: "We can achieve great things"

Nico Mannion recently celebrated a triple crown with Olimpia Milan and was named MVP of Italy's victory over Lithuania, securing their progression to the second round of World Cup qualifiers. Adding to his recent successes, his transfer to Rome was personally announced by Luka Doncic.

"It was great," Mannion told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We had a video call with the team and Luka, it was fantastic. I really like this project and I believe in the people behind it; I'm thrilled. Furthermore, as everyone knows, I have family in Rome, very close by in Ostia: this will be the first time in my professional career that my grandparents and Italian cousins will see me play in person, which is really special."

What prompted Nico Mannion to choose this burgeoning club?

"The people behind this project, Donn Nelson and Luka Doncic, are basketball legends. With people of this caliber supporting us, I believe we can achieve great things. We're starting with the EuroCup, aiming to reach the EuroLeague, and in the third year, NBA Europe will emerge: it will be an adventure, something new. We need to be patient and understand how the entire system works, but I'm happy to be a part of it and to give my best to contribute to the growth of this organization. (...) It's not like joining a team you know, as it was two years ago when I arrived in Milan and knew where I was going: the history, the coach, their style of play, everything. Here, even the city is new; I need to wait and trust the process."

Nico Mannion and Rome's Vision: "We can achieve great things"

Following a successful treble with Olimpia Milan and a standout performance as MVP in Italy's World Cup qualifier win against Lithuania, Nico Mannion is set for a new chapter. His move to Rome has been confirmed, with none other than Luka Doncic himself announcing the transfer.

Expressing his enthusiasm to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mannion stated, "It was great. We had a video call with the team and Luka, it was fantastic. I really like this project and I believe in the people behind it; I'm thrilled." The decision is also deeply personal, as Mannion added, "Furthermore, as everyone knows, I have family in Rome, very close by in Ostia: this will be the first time in my professional career that my grandparents and Italian cousins will see me play in person, which is really special."

The driving forces behind Mannion's decision appear to be the influential figures leading the new Roman club. He elaborated, "The people behind this project, Donn Nelson and Luka Doncic, are basketball legends. With people of this caliber supporting us, I believe we can achieve great things."

Mannion outlined the ambitious roadmap for the club: "We're starting with the EuroCup, aiming to reach the EuroLeague, and in the third year, NBA Europe will emerge: it will be an adventure, something new." He acknowledged the inherent challenges of joining a new venture, noting, "We need to be patient and understand how the entire system works, but I'm happy to be a part of it and to give my best to contribute to the growth of this organization."

Comparing his current situation to his arrival in Milan, Mannion highlighted the differences: "It's not like joining a team you know, as it was two years ago when I arrived in Milan and knew where I was going: the history, the coach, their style of play, everything. Here, even the city is new; I need to wait and trust the process."