BOLOGNA (Lega A) - Numerous national team stars will be in action in Italy this weekend when the new Lega A campaign tips off, including Brazil international Marcelo Huertas when he plays for new club Fortitudo Bologna.
Huertas was so good last season at Bilbao in Spain that he was voted to the ACB’s Ideal Quintet, and the Basque team attempted to keep him but DKV, who had loaned the South American to Bilbao, matched their offer to the playmaker.
Huertas couldn’t agree terms with DKV Joventut, however, so instead he wound up in Italy with Fortitudo, a team that has dipped the past two seasons and is looking to return to former glories.
"I know that Fortitudo have endured two difficult years but together I hope we can return the club to the top, where it wants to compete,” Huertas said.
“As for me, I am ready to be the playmaker of this group, convinced of the strength of this team.
“I am convinced that we can be a great team because we have talent, but besides individual players, our aim is to be able to grow as a team with ambition and optimism.”
Huertas played for the DKV side that won the EuroCup in 2006 and then travelled to Japan with Brazil for the FIBA World Championship.
He did not start making headlines until last season, however, at Bilbao, where the team was among the best in Spain thanks largely to his efforts.
This summer, he had hoped to play at the Beijing Games but Brazil were without most of their leading players at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and lost to Germany in the knockout round.
Huertas might not have been at his best in Athens, where the qualifying event was staged, but Fortitudo will have huge expectations for him.
Zoran Savic has returned to Fortitudo as their general manager after doing a similar role for Barcelona the last couple of seasons and he will know exactly what Huertas adds to the team.
Savic will know that Huertas, 25, is much better than he was when he first arrived in Spain at DKV.
“I think I´ve grown a lot since I arrived to Europe four years ago,” Huertas said.
“I have been fortunate to play under great coaches and alongside great players, like Elmer Bennett (at DKV).
“Now I have the possibility to use what I have learned and take a step forward to help Fortitudo."
Fortitudo travel to face Snaidero Cucine Udine for their first game on Sunday.
Scavolini Spar Pesaro host Armani Jeans Milano, and Benetton Treviso are at home against Air Avellino.
Bancatercas Teramo host Carife Ferrara and Premiata Montegranaro visit Solsonica Rieti.
La Fortezza Bologna open their campaign at home to Angelico Biella, Lottomatica Roma entertain Eldo Caserta and two-time defending champions Montepaschi Siena visit NGC Cantù.
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