Matt Janning talks to Sportando's David Pick
Il giocatore ha firmato un annuale
Former NBAer Matt Janning, who played last season in Italy for Junior Casale, returns to the Seria A for back-to-back seasons, this time with the domestic champions and Euroleague power in Mens Sana Siena.
Though his team experienced a rollercoaster like term last season, Janning successfully stood out recording double-digit scoring figures of 12.6 points per game, grabbing 3.6 rebounds and dishing out 1.7 assists in his European Rookie season.
It was just yesterday (Thursday) that Janning announced on his Twitter account he had penned a deal with Siena, however, he kept his cards close to his chest without mentioning the various mixture of (and possibly more attractive) opportunities he entertained.
The former prolific scoring Husky showcased his shooting abilities both in Italy with 38% from beyond the arc and during the 2012 Las Vegas Summer League with the Memphis Grizzlies. That said, Janning was invited to show his repertoire at the Grizzlies' camp, but the fact that Memphis couldn't commit to a guaranteed deal, forced him to look elsewhere.
"Offers came down to Bologna and Siena (Italy), Estudiantes of the Spanish ACB League and a team from China," Janning told Sportando via telephone.
Estudiantes and Bologna were in contact with Janning throughout the summer, showing him a great deal of interest. "I considered both offers mainly because I knew how serious the teams were about me," he said.
According to sources close to the player, Janning is oblivious as to why he never finalized a deal in China. Sportando reveals that the prestigious Shanghai Sharks, owned by Chinese legend and retired NBA All-Star Yao Ming, were undergoing serious negotiations with the Northeastern alumnus.
The Sharks and Ming in particular, were excited that Janning might debut in the CBA. Furthermore, an informative letter of recommendation from the Los Angeles Lakers' point guard Steve Nash directly to Ming, caused the Sharks to pursue Janning even harder.
Then, sometime over the past weekend, the Sharks shifted gears into reverse and Janning was in awe. "The Sharks were offering the most money and playing for Yao Ming was an exciting opportunity for me, and it seemed to be a good situation until they began delaying everything," Janning said.
When things got fishy with the Sharks, Janning didn't want the possibility of playing in the Euroleague competition to slip away. Siena, who quickly realized their the entire backcourt lineup was falling apart, sent Janning an offer sheet. "The opportunity of playing in the Euroleague and for the best Italian team was naturally a goal of mine and something I really wanted to pursue," he said.
Though his team experienced a rollercoaster like term last season, Janning successfully stood out recording double-digit scoring figures of 12.6 points per game, grabbing 3.6 rebounds and dishing out 1.7 assists in his European Rookie season.
It was just yesterday (Thursday) that Janning announced on his Twitter account he had penned a deal with Siena, however, he kept his cards close to his chest without mentioning the various mixture of (and possibly more attractive) opportunities he entertained.
The former prolific scoring Husky showcased his shooting abilities both in Italy with 38% from beyond the arc and during the 2012 Las Vegas Summer League with the Memphis Grizzlies. That said, Janning was invited to show his repertoire at the Grizzlies' camp, but the fact that Memphis couldn't commit to a guaranteed deal, forced him to look elsewhere.
"Offers came down to Bologna and Siena (Italy), Estudiantes of the Spanish ACB League and a team from China," Janning told Sportando via telephone.
Estudiantes and Bologna were in contact with Janning throughout the summer, showing him a great deal of interest. "I considered both offers mainly because I knew how serious the teams were about me," he said.
According to sources close to the player, Janning is oblivious as to why he never finalized a deal in China. Sportando reveals that the prestigious Shanghai Sharks, owned by Chinese legend and retired NBA All-Star Yao Ming, were undergoing serious negotiations with the Northeastern alumnus.
The Sharks and Ming in particular, were excited that Janning might debut in the CBA. Furthermore, an informative letter of recommendation from the Los Angeles Lakers' point guard Steve Nash directly to Ming, caused the Sharks to pursue Janning even harder.
Then, sometime over the past weekend, the Sharks shifted gears into reverse and Janning was in awe. "The Sharks were offering the most money and playing for Yao Ming was an exciting opportunity for me, and it seemed to be a good situation until they began delaying everything," Janning said.
When things got fishy with the Sharks, Janning didn't want the possibility of playing in the Euroleague competition to slip away. Siena, who quickly realized their the entire backcourt lineup was falling apart, sent Janning an offer sheet. "The opportunity of playing in the Euroleague and for the best Italian team was naturally a goal of mine and something I really wanted to pursue," he said.
E. Carchia
@Sportando
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