Antonio Maestranzi - EuroBasket 2011 Profile

Team 2010-11: Montegranaro (Italy-Lega)
Career: Northern Illinois (USA-NCAA, 2002-06), Reggio Calabria (Italy-Lega Due, 2006-07), Fileni BPA Jesi (Italy-Lega Due, 2007-09), Montegranaro (Italy-Lega, 2009-11)

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Coach Pianigiani placed a lot of faith in Antonio Maestranzi last summer when he handed him some seriously big minutes and made him an essential part of the core rotation - quite an achievement considering at the time he had only played one season in LegaA. Much of that is due to the lengthy list of attributes which the point guard possesses which include not only the ability to create for his team-mates with his good passing skills but also a considerable perimeter threat which not all playmakers can bring to the table. What he might lack in height he makes up for with both his quickness and also his excellent understanding of the game. Defensively he is difficult to beat off the dribble and he is a good on the ball defender. Maestranzi also brings leadership when he is on the floor, is never less than fully focused and consequently is very much a coaches player. He missed a chunk of the season through injury but returned late in the campaign to show he had recovered.