With strong success over the last six years accomplishing four first or second place finishes in Serie A's EuroLeague, Olimpia Milano looks to strengthen their already dominant team with an exciting new addition to their squad. For the remainder of the 2022-2023 season, Greek General Manager Christos Stavropoulos has managed to acquire former NBA player Shabazz Napier.
Shabazz Napier grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts where he showed early success and strong potential for a career in basketball. Before his transfer to the University of Connecticut, Shabazz earned many accolades such as MVP of the 2010 New England Championship alongside a 29-0 undefeated season. In his debut season at UConn, Shabazz contributed toward both a conference title and an NCAA Championship all while earning his position on the Big Easts All-Rookie team. In his fourth and final year at UConn Napier was named ACC Player of the Year and received the "Bob Cousy" award for the country's best point guard.
College HighlightsAfter a successful college career, Napier was selected 24th overall in the 2014 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was later traded to the Miami Heat and played for them for two seasons. During his team with the Heat, Napier established himself as a valuable contributor off the bench and was a key player in the team's playoff run in 2016.
In 2016, Napier was traded to the Orlando Magic where he played for one season before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. In Portland, Napier continue to thrive and became one of the team's most reliable players off the bench. He was a valuable asset to the team and helped them make the playoffs in 2018.
Olimpia Milano has made several other important signings, adding more depth and talent to their roster, which further solidified their position as one of the top teams in Europe. In 2021, Olimpia Milano won the Italian League title and reached the EuroLeague Final Four, further establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in European Basketball. With their addition of former NBA player Shabazz Napier, Milano is excited and confident they will find even more success leading into this year's postseason.
Do you think that their latest signing can bring the team any strength, or is Napier too far removed from his glory days at UCONN to carry Emporio Armani Olimpico to a successful post season?
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I loved watching Napier on the Heat! Something about him was always exciting (even though he didn't do that much in the NBA). I'm hoping he finds a home here with Milano. I'd love to hear about how he'll fit with other players that he's teaming up with this season, and how it may help him develop his game even further. Also would like to know if he will be playing a more veteran bench role or not (since he's been a pro athlete for nearly a decade and has many different experiences, meaning he'd do well in this role).
ReplyDeleteHaving an American player on Olimpia Milano team will, along with building of a strong team, grow the attention to EuroLeague by American viewers. This is always the case when former NBA players sign on European teams but with a player like Napier who moved around the NBA as well as the other players the team has currently added will draw attention from many different nations, in and out of Europe. This is great for both the business of the team gaining, with the increase in viewers, but I could also see the growth of the team and traction from viewers allowing for more partnerships and additional revenue in other streams of sports.
ReplyDeleteWe agree, from all of the other blogs that we have looked at throughout this project it seems that more attention is always brought toward the teams that have former American players on their squads. I was surprised to hear about many familiar names on other EuroLeague teams that have sparked an interest in me as well.
DeleteI have followed Napier throughout his journey, being a Uconn fan and from Connecticut. Napier throughout his career has showed an ability to fit into teams, and make clutch shots when presented. Joining a team riddled with high quality talent and a coach who garners much respect, I see no reason why this move would do anything but improve Milanos chances of success. I see moves as these the difference makers between high quality management, as Napier lead an underdog Uconn team in one of the largest stages in sports. (NCAA turnament) I see this move as one that can help push Milano over other high quality oppositon, and I feel moves such as these will become ever more common in the future.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a couple replies regarding his time with UCONN in the NCAA tournament. I think this is where I remember him best as well. We think that this can only have a positive impact for Olimpia Milano as well!
DeleteI used to watch a lot of NBA games when I was younger, and as a Heat fan, I loved watching Shabazz play on the Heat! Although I haven't watched him play in quite a long time, but thie could certainly be a great signing for Milano. Hopefully, as he gets accustomed to the new team and his new home, he and the team will be able to gain more confidence on the court.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I remember watching Napier win the NCAA Championship. I must say I am a little surprised to see that he is heading to play in Italy. I would think that a player of his talent would still be playing in the NBA. However, he is a great player and will be able to contribute to the teams success. So, to answer your question, yes. Napier will be a strong option for the Italian club.
ReplyDeleteIt is always interesting to hear where these former NBA players played before and where they played at college. Although I have never heard of Shabazz Napier, having an ex-NBA player always brings some buzz to the team. I think this can definitely increase success on the business side of the team, and hopefully he can bring some improvement to their season as well.
ReplyDeleteI still remember watching Napier lead UConn to a national championship. If he could regain some of that magic, I think that this is a great signing. It could also help Olimpia Milano gain some American viewership. Most sports fans know who Napier is and so they might want to follow his career, even if he is playing in Europe. If not on the court, Napier will at least provide some much needed experience and leadership. I do think he will contribute on the court and will give fans something to cheer about.
ReplyDeleteYes besides the positive impact that he can make with viewership on a financial side of the game, we really think that his veteran leadership is going to be an important quality on bringing the team success!
DeleteBeing from Indiana and living in the glory days of Butler basketball, I remember watching Shabazz in college and his run to the national championship being so similar to the one that Kemba Walker brought to UConn by beating the Bulldogs. I do not think that this acquisition will lead them to new leaps and bounds, however he can still be a key contributor if he is in the right role. He has always been an explosive point guard who can carry the scoring when needed and I hope he can find the proper role and eventual success with this club.
ReplyDeleteI always think it's awesome when I hear of some of the names I listend to growing up as well. I think I even saw that Nigel Hayes was playing for another one of these EuroLeague teams and that was super cool to hear after watching him play for the Wisconsin Basketball team back in 2014.
DeleteAs a Heat fan, Shabazz Napier had a ton of hype surrounding his name once he got drafted in the first round. I also grew up a Syracuse Basketball fan, so I despised him while playing at UConn. With that, It is cool to see a ton of former popular college players make a name for themselves in Europe. I have not seen him play since his days in Miami, but I could see him thrive in the right environment.
ReplyDeleteI think if you are getting any NBA player, that is an immediate upgrade over most players on EuroLeague rosters. Even NBA players who are not getting time for their respective teams are usually some of the best players on the court for Euroleague teams. Napier could be a huge piece for Milano as they continue their quest in the Euroleague. I do not think he is too far our of his glory days at Uconn, and I think there is a chance he provides a lot of quality to this club.
ReplyDeleteYes we definitely feel this is true. While EuroLeague players are getting more and more comparable to the NBA, the leadership that former players bring is a really crucial aspect of a great team.
DeleteShabazz was one of my favorite college players to ever play. I will always remember the incredible run that he had in the NCAA tournament and how he shocked the world by winning the championship as an eighth seed. I wonder if signing a big-name player like this brings in the team more revenue. Do Europeans follow American college sports often?
ReplyDeleteI believe Shabazz can definitely have an impact on Olimpia Milano. Although he is past his prime, his experience and leadership will be huge come later in the season. He also can provide much needed minutes off the bench to help with load management.
ReplyDeleteI think that Shabazz will definitely be able to have an impact on the success of this team. One thing that no one can fault Shabazz for is his shot making ability, which is always crucial to have on a team. Although Shabazz is not at the form that he was at during his historic run in the NCAA tournament with UCONN, I still believe that he has the ability to provide much needed scoring to this team.
ReplyDeleteShabazz Napier was a beloved player at Uconn and had a successful career during his time in the NBA, because of this I believe he not only offers his talents to Milan but as he is a well known former NBA player I believe he opens up new opportunities as well. He may attract sponsors or may even bring in an audience from the US that follow Napier during his time in the US and again wants to watch him play.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Shabazz Napier was necessarily the right fit for the NBA currently. However, I think his time here in the European league could play out much differently. He was a player that brough energy when he played at UCONN and I would love to see how this experience transfers over into this league.
ReplyDeleteWe've seen the same thing, sometimes the player are just better suited for different environments whether it be the NBA or ball over seas. Some other players I think of are Dwight Howard who is finding a ton of success abroad.
DeleteIt was interesting to read that Olimpia Milano signed a former NBA player. I think that his experience in the United States will be beneficial to his career in Europe, as the coaches are different.
ReplyDeleteIt's always difficult to predict how a new addition to a team will perform, but Shabazz Napier's experience and success in both college basketball and the NBA could potentially bring a lot of strength to Olimpia Milano's roster. While it's been a few years since his standout college career, Napier has proven himself to be a valuable contributor off the bench in the NBA, and his skills and knowledge could potentially help Milano during the postseason. Ultimately, only time will tell how Napier will perform for the team, but his addition is certainly a promising one.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree, sometimes it's very tough to pick the final puzzle piece, but I think if we are to look back on his past experiences and accolades, it would be the best predictor of what he can potentially to bring to the table in Milan.
DeleteIt seems like Shabazz has had a great career so far and was able to produce both well for his team in college, and even on some of the teams he played for in the NBA. I think that he will have a positive effect on the Italy team, and I think it was a good move. With all of the experience he has had, I think that this was a good decision.
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