Gianmarco Pozzecco called Nicolo Melli the best basketball player in the world with a sensational IQ.

Credit: FIBA
Credit FIBA

Gianmarco Pozzecco took over FIBA EuroBasket 2022 when Italy achieved a huge upset win against the favorite, Serbia.

Player of the Game
Marco  Spissu
EFF
27
Marco Spissu
Points 22
Accuracy 7-11
Rebounds 4
Assists 6

The Italian specialist was ejected from the game, left the court in tears, and later celebrated the victory as nobody did. He fell on his knees ecstatic and jumped on Giannis Antetokounmpo to celebrate with him.

Pozzecco's post-game comments were as vivid as his celebrations.

"Melli is the best player in the world," Pozzecco stated after the match, via Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Nico has a sensational IQ in basketball and not only on the basketball court. I have never seen someone like him in my 40 years of basketball. He always knows what to do in any game situation," added the 49-year-old specialist.

Indeed, Melli was instrumental to Italy's success. EuroLeague veteran finished the game with 21 points (4/9 2PT, 3/9 3PT, 4/4 FT), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 17 EFF.

He connected a couple of crucial shots from downtown in the second quarter when Serbia was running away from their opponents (38-24), keeping Italy in the game.

Melli and the whole Italian team deserved to get Pozzecco's credit card after the historical win.

"They can do whatever they want [with the card] to celebrate the victory," Gianmarco Pozzecco told the Italian media outlet.

Comments:
We want to hear from you. Be the first to comment!
Thank you for reporting a comment

Add comment

We have the right to remove comments which are offensive, contains abusive language, or violates other rules of the website
Serbia
Italy
43%
26/61
Field goals
46%
31/67
39
Rebounds
33
17
Assists
22
4
Steals
11
25
Fouls
28
50%
16/32
2-pointers
52%
15/29

Best players

Nikola  Jokic
32 PTS
8/14 FG
14/15 FT
Marco  Spissu
22 PTS
7/11 FG
2/3 FT
Nikola  Jokic
13 REB
7 DREB
6 OREB
Achille  Polonara
8 REB
7 DREB
1 OREB
Vasilije  Micic
8 As
3 TO
33 MIN
Marco  Spissu
6 As
0 TO
32 MIN
Nikola  Jokic
38 EFF
55% 2P%
67% 3P%
Marco  Spissu
27 EFF
50% 2P%
67% 3P%