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Olimpia Milano
View on WikipediaPallacanestro Olimpia Milano, commonly known as Olimpia Milano or as EA7 Emporio Armani Milan after its title sponsor,[2] is an LBA Italian professional basketball team, based in Milan, Italy. Its colors are white and red, and the team is sometimes referred as "Scarpette Rosse" (Little Red Shoes) because team officials imported red Converse All-Star shoes for players from the United States. The tag line stuck, and the nickname is still used by many fans today.
Key Information
As per custom in the Italian league, sponsorship has kept the team name changing frequently. From 1930 until 1955, it was called Borletti Milano. From 1956 to 1973, it was renamed Simmenthal. Other famous sponsorship names were Billy, Simac, Tracer, and Philips, in the 1980s. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below.
Olimpia is the most successful basketball club in Italy and one of the most successful in Europe, having won 31 Italian League Championships, 8 Italian National Cups, 5 Italian Super Cups, 3 EuroLeague, 1 FIBA Intercontinental Cup, 3 FIBA Saporta Cups, 2 FIBA Korać Cups and many junior titles.
In 2016, the club was included in the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame.
History
[edit]The birth and the Borletti era (1930–1955)
[edit]The birth of Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano is traditionally dated 1936, year of the first Italian League Championship title won by the team. Actually it was founded 6 years earlier (in 1930) as "Dopolavoro Borletti" by Fratelli Borletti managers.[3] Borletti team won 4 consecutive Italian League Championships from 1936 to 1939.
In 1947, Milan businessman Adolfo Bogoncelli merged Pallacanestro Como and Borletti to form a new society,[4] commonly known as "Borolimpia". "Borletti" brand was the main sponsor of the team, becoming the first sponsor in the history of Italian sport.[5]
In 1955, after 9 Italian League Championships, Borletti brand leaves Olimpia Milano jersey.
The Simmenthal era (1956–1973)
[edit]The team regularly won the Italian League Championship in the 1950s and the 1960s, with players including Gabriele Vianello, Sandro Riminucci, Gianfranco Pieri, and Bill Bradley. In 1966, Olimpia won its first FIBA European Champions Cup.
In the 1970s, three teams were fighting across Europe for supremacy: Olimpia Milano, Ignis Varese, and Real Madrid. Pallacanestro Varese and Olimpia Milano were arch-rivals, as the two cities are 25 miles (40 km) apart. While Milano was a frequent Italian League champion, they were unable to win again the prestigious FIBA European Champions Cup. Late in the 1970s, the quality of the club declined, but Olimpia Milano still managed to win a FIBA Cup Winners' Cup.
In 1973, Simmenthal brand leaves Olimpia jersey after 17 years and 10 Italian League Championships.
1974–2007
[edit]In the 1970s through the 1980s, the team acquired several notable players, including the Boselli twins (Franco and Dino), Mike Sylvester, Chas Menatti, Dino Meneghin, Mike D'Antoni, John Gianelli, Roberto Premier. Bob McAdoo, Joe Barry Carroll, Russ Schoene, Antoine Carr, and Mike Brown. American head coach Dan Peterson led the team back to prominence.
In the 1980s, the team was sold to the Gabetti family. After this, they qualified for nine Serie A championships finals, winning five, with the 1987 team winning the Serie A title, the 1986–87 FIBA European Champions Cup (won also in 1988: both finals were won against Maccabi Tel Aviv), the Italian Cup and the 1987 FIBA Club World Cup. This gave the club the coveted "Triple Crown" and the even rarer "Quadruple Crown".
Led by point guard Sasha Djordjević, the team won another FIBA Korać Cup in 1993. Bepi Stefanel purchased the team franchise in 1994, and signed-up notable European players like Dejan Bodiroga, Gregor Fučka, Sandro De Pol, and Nando Gentile. In 1996, the team won the Italian Cup and its 25th Italian National Championship, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the club.
Team management was inconsistent, as ownership groups from 1998 to 2004. Players of the team included Warren Kidd, Hugo Sconochini, Claudio Coldebella and Petar Naumoski. In 2005, owner Corbelli, which bought the club in 2002, from Sergio Tacchini, was flanked by Adriano Galliani (managing director of Italian Football club A.C. Milan), Massimo Moratti (President of rival club Internazionale), NBA star Kobe Bryant, and stylist Giorgio Armani, as sponsor with the Armani Jeans brand. After difficult years, led by coach Lino Lardo, Olimpia reached the national championship Finals, finally being beaten by Climamio Bologna.
On January 25, 2006, in the midst of a disappointing season in the EuroLeague and domestically, Djordjevic was named as the team's new coach. He left as coach after the 2006–07 season, but not before securing Olimpia a berth in the 2007–08 Euroleague.
2008–present
[edit]In 2008, Giorgio Armani bought the team from Giorgio Corbelli, standing as the only owner, entirely changing the management structure, naming Livio Proli as president, and Lucio Zanca as general manager. Piero Bucchi was chosen to coach the new team, leading Olimpia twice to second place in LEGA Basket, being defeated by Montepaschi Siena in both cases.

In January 2011, after 23 years away from coaching, Dan Peterson came back from retirement at the request of team owner Giorgio Armani to replace Piero Bucchi, who was fired in mid-season.[6] Peterson was hired on an interim basis and agreed to coach only the remainder of the season, in which he guided the team to the semi-finals. On June 9, Olimpia Milano announced Sergio Scariolo as new head coach for the 2011–12 season. The first player signed for the 2011–12 season was Omar Cook, an American-born play maker, who had played the previous season with Power Electronics Valencia. Owing to the NBA lockout, Danilo Gallinari went back to his alma mater, playing 15 games (8 in the Italian League, 7 in EuroLeague): he left the team in December. Sergio Scariolo was replaced by Luca Banchi at the beginning of the 2013–14 season, and the team brought from Montepaschi Siena: David Moss, Kristjan Kangur, and Daniel Hackett.
The team reached the quarterfinals of EuroLeague, 16 years after its last appearance, but the team lost against the eventual league champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team finished in the 1st position the LEGA Basket regular season, and in the 7th game of the playoff's finals, Olimpia won its 26th Italian League championship title, its first after 18 years. Alessandro Gentile, the captain of Olimpia, was named MVP of the finals.
On June 29, 2017, Simone Pianigiani was hired as the new head coach and on June 15, 2018, Milano went to win his 28th title by beating Dolomiti Energia Trento in game 6 of the 2018 LBA Finals.[7]
On June 11, 2019, legend Ettore Messina signed a deal as the new head coach of the club and president of all basketball operations for the following three seasons.[8]
On May 4, 2021, the club reached the Euroleague Final Four after 29 years (1992 Final Four).[9]
Logos
[edit]-
(The current non-sponsorship logo of the club).
-
(The Emporio Armani era sponsorship logo of the club).
-
(A previous non-sponsorship logo of the club).
Arenas
[edit]
| Arena | Photo | Capacity | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court of Via Costanza | — | 1930–1948
|
Outdoor court of the OND Borletti factory | |
| Palazzo dello Sport della Fiera | c. 18,000
|
1948-1960
|
The first sports palace of Milan and the biggest in Europe at that time | |
| PalaLido | c. 10,000 (3,500)*
|
1960–1980 (1985)*
|
Indoor arena specifically designed for basketball *(temporarily used in 1985-86 season) | |
| Palasport di San Siro | c. 15,000
|
1980–1985
|
On January 17, 1985, a large snowfall collapsed the roof and the arena was closed | |
| PalaTrussardi | 10,045
|
1986–1990
|
Also known as "PalaVobis", "Mazda Palace" and "PalaSharp" | |
| Unipol Forum | 12,700
|
1990–present
|
Originally named "the Forum of Assago", it was previously known as "FilaForum", "DatchForum" and "Mediolanum Forum". |
Secondary Arenas
[edit]| Arena | Photo | Capacity | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PalaLido | 3,800
|
1990–2011
|
Used when Mediolanum Forum was unavailable | |
| PalaDesio | 6,700
|
2011–2019
|
In 2011, the old PalaLido was destroyed and rebuilt. PalaDesio was used as a secondary arena during the construction of the new arena | |
| Allianz Cloud | 5,347
|
2019–present
|
Built in place of the old PalaLido, it is used when Mediolanum Forum is unavailable |
Olimpia Milano used the OND Borletti outdoor court of Via Costanza for almost 20 years. In the mid-1940s, they moved to the Palazzo dello Sport della Fiera, which had a seating capacity of 18,000 people, and was then the largest indoor sports arena in Europe, and second only to the Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 1960, the Palazzo dello Sport della Fiera was abandoned, and Olimpia moved into the original structure of the PalaLido, which then had a smaller seating capacity of 3,500, but because of lack of security measures at the time, often was filled with up to 10,000 people.
At the end of the 1970s, Olimpia moved into the newly built Palasport di San Siro, a multi-purpose facility built next to the Meazza Stadium, that was able to hold about 15,000 spectators. In 1985, the roof of the Palasport di San Siro collapsed and Olimpia returned to PalaLido for a season, waiting for the construction of a provisional arena. In 1986, they moved into the recently built 10,045 seat PalaTrussardi, where they played through the early 1990s.
The club then moved into its current home arena, the Mediolanum Forum, which has a seating capacity of 12,700.[10] The club has also played some home games at the 6,700 seat PalaDesio. Recently, the club considered moving back to the newly rebuilt and modernized PalaLido (named Allianz Cloud), after it was remodeled, and had its seating capacity expanded. However, the club ultimately decided to continue using the Mediolanum Forum as its home arena, due to its much larger seating capacity, as compared to the new Allianz Cloud. However, the new arena is used when Mediolanum Forum is unavailable.
Honours
[edit]Domestic competitions
[edit]- Winners (31): 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1971–72, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1995–96, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- Runners-up (18): 1934, 1940–41, 1955–56, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1990–91, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2020–21
- Winners (8): 1971–72, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1995–96, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2021–22
- Runners-up (3): 1969–70, 2014–15, 2023–24
European competitions
[edit]- Winners (3): 1965–66, 1986–87, 1987–88
- Runners-up (2): 1966–67, 1982–83
- Semifinalists (3): 1963–64, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1985–86
- 3rd place (2): 1991–92, 2020–21
- Final Four (5): 1966, 1967, 1988, 1992, 2021
- FIBA Saporta Cup (defunct)
- FIBA Korać Cup (defunct)
- Winners (2): 1984–85, 1992–93
- Runners-up (2): 1994–95, 1995–96
- Semifinalists (3): 1977–78, 1988–89, 1993–94
- European Basketball Club Super Cup (semi-official, defunct)
- Latin Cup (defunct)
- European Tournament (San Remo) (defunct)
- Winners (2): 1952, 1954 [11]
Worldwide competitions
[edit]- McDonald's Championship (defunct)
Unofficial
[edit]- Winners (1): 1986–87
- Winners (1): 1971–72
Other Competitions
[edit]- Castellanza, Italy Invitational Game
- Winners (1): 2007
- Memoriale di Tulio Rochlitzer
- Winners (1): 2007
- Torneo Caorle
- Winners (2): 2007, 2011
- Reggio Emilia, Italy Invitational Game
- Winners (1): 2008
- Torneo Lombardia
- Winners (2): 2009, 2016
- Torneo Castelleto Ticino
- Winners (3): 2009, 2018, 2019
- Verona, Italy Invitational Game
- Winners (1): 2011
- Trofeo de Ejea de los Caballeros
- Winners (1): 2011
- Belgrade, Serbia Invitational Game
- Winners (1): 2014
- Torneo del Circuito della Valtellina
- Winners (1): 2014
- Trofeo Memorial Gianni Brusinelli
- Winners (1): 2016
- Torneo Lovari
- Winners (1): 2017
- Torneo Lucca
- Winners (1): 2019
- Milan, Italy Invitational Game
- Winners (1): 2019
Players
[edit]Current roster
[edit]| Olimpia Milano roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Updated: July 15, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
Depth chart
[edit]| Pos. | Starting 5 | Bench 1 | Bench 2 | Bench 3 | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Devin Booker | Bryant Dunston | Ousmane Diop | Josh Nebo | |
| PF | Zach Leday | Nate Sestina | Giampaolo Ricci | Leonardo Totè | |
| SF | Shavon Shields | Marko Gudurić | |||
| SG | Armoni Brooks | Stefano Tonut | Diego Flaccadori | ||
| PG | Leandro Bolmaro | Nico Mannion | Quinn Ellis | Lorenzo Brown |
(colors: Italian or homegrown players; foreign players; young players)
Retired numbers
[edit]| Olimpia Milano retired numbers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Nat. | Player | Position | Tenure | Date retired | Ref. |
| 8 | Mike D'Antoni | PG | 1977–1990 | 2015 | [12] | |
| 11 | Dino Meneghin | C | 1980–1990 1993-1994 |
2019 | [13][14][15] | |
| 18 | Art Kenney | PF/C | 1970–1973 | 2013 | [16] | |
| 36 | Dan Peterson | Coach | 1979-1987 2011 |
2023 | [6] | |
Season by season
[edit]| Season | Tier | League | Pos. | Playoffs | Cup | European competitions | Coach | Main Sponsor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935-36 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1936-37 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1937-38 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1938-39 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1939-40 | 1 | Serie A | 7th | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1940-41 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1941-42 | 1 | Serie A | 5th | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1942-43 | 1 | Serie A | 5th | Giannino Valli | Borletti | ||||
| 1945-46 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd round | Borletti | |||||
| 1946-47 | 1 | Serie A | 1st round | Umberto Fedeli | Borletti | ||||
| 1947-48 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Umberto Fedeli | Borletti | ||||
| 1948-49 | 1 | Serie A | 3rd | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1949-50 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1950-51 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1951-52 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1952-53 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1953-54 | 1 | Elette | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1954-55 | 1 | Elette | 3rd | Cesare Rubini | Borletti | ||||
| 1955-56 | 1 | Elette | 2nd | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1956-57 | 1 | Elette | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1957-58 | 1 | Elette | 1st | 1 European Champions Cup | Quarterfinalist | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||
| 1958-59 | 1 | Elette | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1959-60 | 1 | Elette | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1960-61 | 1 | Elette | 3rd | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1961-62 | 1 | Elette | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1962-63 | 1 | Elette | 1st | 1 European Champions Cup | Quarterfinalist | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||
| 1963-64 | 1 | Elette | 2nd | 1 European Champions Cup | Semifinalist | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||
| 1964-65 | 1 | Elette | 1st | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||||
| 1965-66 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | 1 European Champions Cup | Champion | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||
| 1966-67 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | 1 European Champions Cup | Runner-up | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||
| 1967-68 | 1 | Serie A | 4th | 1 European Champions Cup | Semifinalist | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | ||
| 1968-69 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Eight-finalist | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | |||
| 1969-70 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Runner-up | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | |||
| 1970-71 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Runner-up | 3rd | 2 European Cup Winners' Cup | Champion | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal |
| 1971-72 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Champion | 2 European Cup Winners' Cup | Champion | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal | |
| 1972-73 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Runner-up | Quarterfinalist | 1 European Champions Cup | Semifinalist | Cesare Rubini | Simmenthal |
| 1973-74 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Quarterfinalist | 3 Korać Cup | R12 | Cesare Rubini | Innocenti | |
| 1974-75 | 1 | Serie A1 | 3rd | 3rd (second phase) | 3 Korać Cup | R16 | Filippo Faina | Innocenti | |
| 1975-76 | 1 | Serie A1 | 11th | Relegated to Serie A2 | 2 European Cup Winners' Cup | Champion | Filippo Faina | Cinzano | |
| 1976-77 | 2 | Serie A2 | 1st | 4th (second phase) | 2 European Cup Winners' Cup | Semifinalist | Filippo Faina | Cinzano | |
| 1977-78 | 1 | Serie A1 | 6th | 4th (second phase) | 3 Korać Cup | Semifinalist | Filippo Faina | Cinzano | |
| 1978-79 | 1 | Serie A1 | 5th | Runner-up | Dan Peterson | Billy | |||
| 1979-80 | 1 | Serie A1 | 1st | Semifinalist | Dan Peterson | Billy | |||
| 1980-81 | 1 | Serie A1 | 2nd | Semifinalist | Dan Peterson | Billy | |||
| 1981-82 | 1 | Serie A1 | 3rd | Champion | Dan Peterson | Billy | |||
| 1982-83 | 1 | Serie A1 | 2nd | Runner-up | 1 European Champions Cup | Runner-up | Dan Peterson | Billy | |
| 1983-84 | 1 | Serie A1 | 1st | Runner-up | Semifinalist | 2 Saporta Cup | Runner-up | Dan Peterson | Simac |
| 1984-85 | 1 | Serie A1 | 2nd | Champion | Quarterfinalist | 3 Korać Cup | Champion | Dan Peterson | Simac |
| 1985-86 | 1 | Serie A1 | 1st | Champion | Champion | 1 European Champions Cup | Semifinalist | Dan Peterson | Simac |
| 1986-87 | 1 | Serie A1 | 4th | Champion | Champion | 1 European Champions Cup | Champion | Dan Peterson | Tracer |
| 1987-88 | 1 | Serie A1 | 2nd | Runner-up | Eighth-finalist | 1 European Champions Cup | Champion | Franco Casalini | Tracer |
| 1988-89 | 1 | Serie A1 | 5th | Champion | Semifinalist | 3 Korać Cup | Semifinalist | Franco Casalini | Philips |
| 1989-90 | 1 | Serie A1 | 10th | Eighth-finalist | RS | 1 European Champions Cup | Quarterfinalist | Franco Casalini | Philips |
| 1990-91 | 1 | Serie A1 | 1st | Runner-up | Runner-up | Mike D'Antoni | Philips | ||
| 1991-92 | 1 | Serie A1 | 3rd | Quarterfinalist | Quarterfinalist | 1 European League | 3rd | Mike D'Antoni | Philips |
| 1992-93 | 1 | Serie A1 | 2nd | Quarterfinalist | Quarterfinalist | 3 Korać Cup | Champion | Mike D'Antoni | Philips |
| 1993-94 | 1 | Serie A1 | 5th | Quarterfinalist | Eighth-finalist | 3 Korać Cup | Semifinalist | Mike D'Antoni | Recoaro |
| 1994-95 | 1 | Serie A1 | 4th | Semifinalist | Semifinalist | 3 Korać Cup | Runner-up | Bogdan Tanjević | Stefanel |
| 1995-96 | 1 | Serie A1 | 5th | Champion | Champion | 3 Korać Cup | Runner-up | Bogdan Tanjević | Stefanel |
| 1996-97 | 1 | Serie A1 | 4th | Semifinalist | 3rd | 1 EuroLeague | Quarterfinalist | Franco Marcelletti | Stefanel |
| 1997-98 | 1 | Serie A1 | 6th | Eighth-finalist | Semifinalist | 2 EuroCup | Runner-up | Franco Marcelletti | Stefanel |
| 1998-99 | 1 | Serie A1 | 5th | Quarterfinalist | Eighth-finalist | 2 Saporta Cup | R32 | Marco Crespi | Sony |
| 1999-00 | 1 | Serie A1 | 13th | Quarterfinalist | 2 Saporta Cup | R16 | Marco Crespi | Adecco | |
| 2000-01 | 1 | Serie A1 | 15th | Valerio Bianchini | Adecco | ||||
| 2001–02 | 1 | Serie A | 17th | Guido Saibene | Adecco | ||||
| 2002–03 | 1 | Serie A | 5th | Round of 16 | Quarterfinalist | Attilio Caja | Pippo | ||
| 2003–04 | 1 | Serie A | 10th | 2 ULEB Cup | T16 | Attilio Caja | Breil | ||
| 2004–05 | 1 | Serie A | 4th | Runner-up | Quarterfinalist | Lino Lardo | Armani Jeans | ||
| 2005–06 | 1 | Serie A | 7th | Quarterfinalist | Quarterfinalist | 1 Euroleague | RS | Lino Lardo | Armani Jeans |
| 2006–07 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Semifinalist | Semifinalist | Aleksandar Đorđević | Armani Jeans | ||
| 2007–08 | 1 | Serie A | 5th | Semifinalist | 1 Euroleague | RS | Zare Markovski | Armani Jeans | |
| 2008–09 | 1 | Serie A | 6th | Runner-up | 1 Euroleague | T16 | Piero Bucchi | Armani Jeans | |
| 2009–10 | 1 | Serie A | 3rd | Runner-up | Quarterfinalist | 1 Euroleague | RS | Piero Bucchi | Armani Jeans |
| 2010–11 | 1 | Serie A | 3rd | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist | 1 Euroleague | RS | Piero Bucchi / Dan Peterson | Armani Jeans |
| 2011–12 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Runner-up | Semifinalist | 1 Euroleague | T16 | Sergio Scariolo | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2012–13 | 1 | Serie A | 4th | Quarterfinalist | Quarterfinalist | 1 Euroleague | RS | Sergio Scariolo | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2013–14 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Champion | Quarterfinalist | 1 Euroleague | QF | Luca Banchi | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2014–15 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Semifinalist | Runner-up | 1 Euroleague | T16 | Luca Banchi | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2015–16 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Champion | Champion | 1 Euroleague | RS | Jasmin Repeša | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2016–17 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Semifinalist | Champion | 1 EuroLeague | 16th | Jasmin Repeša | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2017–18 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Champion | Quarterfinalist | 1 EuroLeague | 15th | Simone Pianigiani | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2018–19 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Semifinalist | Quarterfinalist | 1 EuroLeague | 12th | Simone Pianigiani | AX Armani Exchange |
| 2019–20 | 1 | Serie A | 4th[a] | Semifinalist | 1 EuroLeague | — | Ettore Messina | AX Armani Exchange | |
| 2020–21 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Runner-up | Champion | 1 EuroLeague | 3rd | Ettore Messina | AX Armani Exchange |
| 2021–22 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Champion | Champion | 1 EuroLeague | QF | Ettore Messina | AX Armani Exchange |
| 2022–23 | 1 | Serie A | 1st | Champion | Quarterfinalist | 1 EuroLeague | 12th | Ettore Messina | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2023–24 | 1 | Serie A | 2nd | Champion | Runner-up | 1 EuroLeague | 12th | Ettore Messina | EA7 Emporio Armani |
| 2024–25 | 1 | Serie A | 5th | Semifinalist | Runner-up | 1 EuroLeague | 11th | Ettore Messina | EA7 Emporio Armani |
Top performances in European & Worldwide competitions
[edit]| Season | Achievement | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EuroLeague | |||
| 1957–58 | Quarter-finals | eliminated by Honvéd, 80–72 (W) in Milan and 85–95 (L) in Budapest | |
| 1962–63 | Quarter-finals | eliminated by Dinamo Tbilisi, 70–65 (W) in Tbilisi and 68–74 (L) in Milan | |
| 1963–64 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Real Madrid, 82–77 (W) in Milan and 78–101 (L) in Madrid | |
| 1965–66 | Champions | defeated CSKA Moscow 68–57 in the semi-final, defeated Slavia VŠ Praha 77–72 in the final of the Final Four in Bologna / Milan | |
| 1966–67 | Final | defeated Slavia VŠ Praha 103–97 in the semi-final, lost to Real Madrid 83–91 in the final (Madrid) | |
| 1967–68 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Spartak ZJŠ Brno, 64–63 (W) in Milan, 86–103 (L) in Brno | |
| 1972–73 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Ignis Varese, 72–97 (L) in Milan, 100–115 (L) in Varese | |
| 1982–83 | Final | lost to Ford Cantù, 68–69 in the final (Grenoble) | |
| 1985–86 | Semi-final group stage | 3rd place in a group with Cibona, Žalgiris, Real Madrid, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Limoges CSP | |
| 1986–87 | Champions | defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv, 71–69 in the final of European Champions Cup in Lausanne | |
| 1987–88 | Champions | defeated Aris 87–82 in the semi-final, defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 90–84 in the final of the Final Four in Ghent | |
| 1989–90 | Quarter-finals | 5th place in a group with FC Barcelona, Jugoplastika, Limoges CSP, Aris, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Commodore Den Helder and Lech Poznań | |
| 1991–92 | Final Four | 3rd place in Istanbul, lost to Partizan 75–82 in the semi-final, defeated Estudiantes Caja Postal 99–81 in the 3rd place game | |
| 1996–97 | Quarter-finals | eliminated 2–1 by Smelt Olimpija, 94–90 (W) in Milan, 69–73 (L) in Ljubljana, 61–77 (L) in Milan | |
| 2013–14 | Quarter-finals | eliminated 3–1 by Maccabi Tel Aviv, 99–101 (L) and 91–77 (W) in Milan, 63–75 (L) and 66–86 (L) in Tel Aviv | |
| 2020–21 | Final Four | 3rd place in Cologne, lost to FC Barcelona 82–84 in the semi-final, defeated CSKA Moscow 83–73 in the 3rd place game | |
| 2021–22 | Quarter-finals | eliminated 3–1 by Anadolu Efes, 48–64 (L) and 73–66 (W) in Milan, 65–77 (L) and 70–75 (L) in Istanbul | |
| FIBA Saporta Cup | |||
| 1970–71 | Champions | defeated Spartak Leningrad 56–66 (L) in Leningrad and 71–52 (W) in Milan in the double final of FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup | |
| 1971–72 | Champions | defeated Crvena zvezda 74–70 in the final of FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup in Thessaloniki | |
| 1975–76 | Champions | defeated ASPO Tours 88–83 in the final of FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup in Turin | |
| 1976–77 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Forst Cantù, 78–101 (L) in Cantù and 98–95 (W) in Milan | |
| 1983–84 | Final | lost to Real Madrid 81–82 in the final (Ostend) | |
| 1997–98 | Final | lost to Žalgiris 67–82 in the final (Belgrade) | |
| FIBA Korać Cup | |||
| 1977–78 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Bosna, 79–76 (W) in Milan and 81–101 (L) in Sarajevo | |
| 1984–85 | Champions | defeated Ciaocrem Varese, 91–78 in the final of FIBA Korać Cup in Brussels | |
| 1988–89 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Wiwa Vismara Cantù, 81–95 (L) in Cantù and 70–65 (W) in Milan | |
| 1992–93 | Champions | defeated Virtus Roma, 95–90 (W) in Rome and 106–91 (W) in Milan in the double finals of FIBA Korać Cup | |
| 1993–94 | Semi-finals | eliminated by Stefanel Trieste, 79–96 (L) in Trieste and 103–96 (W) in Milan | |
| 1994–95 | Final | lost to Alba Berlin, 87–87 (D) in Milan and 79–85 (L) in Berlin | |
| 1995–96 | Final | lost to Efes Pilsen, 68–76 (L) in Istanbul and 77–70 (W) in Milan | |
| EuroCup Basketball | |||
| 2015–16 | Quarter-finals | eliminated by Dolomiti Energia Trento, 73–83 (L) in Trento and 79–92 (L) in Milan | |
| FIBA Intercontinental Cup | |||
| 1967 | 3rd place | 3rd place in Rome, lost to Ignis Varese 70–79 in the semi-final, defeated Corinthians 90–89 in the 3rd place game | |
| 1968 | 3rd place | 3rd place in Philadelphia, lost to Real Madrid 84–93 in the semi-final, defeated Botafogo 82–54 in the 3rd place game | |
| 1983 | 5th place | 5th place with a 2–3 record in a league tournament in Buenos Aires | |
| 1987 | Champions | defeated FC Barcelona 100–84 in the final of FIBA Club World Cup in Milan | |
| McDonald's Championship | |||
| 1987 | 3rd place | 3rd place in a three teams Tournament in Milwaukee with Milwaukee Bucks and Soviet Union | |
| 1989 | 3rd place | 3rd place in Rome, lost to Jugoplastika 97–102 in the semi-final, defeated FC Barcelona 136–104 in the 3rd place game | |
Matches against NBA teams
[edit]Sponsorship names
[edit]
Through the years, due to sponsorship deals, it has been also known as:[17]
- Borletti (1930–1955)
- Simmenthal (1955–1973)
- Innocenti (1973–1975)
- Cinzano (1975–1978)
- Billy (1978–1983)
- Simac (1983–1986)
- Tracer (1986–1988)
- Philips (1988–1993)
- Recoaro (1993–94)
- Stefanel (1994–1998)
- Sony (1998–99)
- Adecco (1999–2002)
- Pippo (2002–03)
- Breil (2003–04)
- Armani Jeans (2004–2011)
- EA7 Emporio Armani (2011–2018)
- AX Armani Exchange (2018–2022)[18]
- EA7 Emporio Armani (2022–present)[19]
Notable players
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| Criteria |
|---|
|
To appear in this section a player must have either:
|
#9 Cesare Rubini (1948–1957)
#7 Sergio Stefanini (1949–1955)
#5 Enrico Pagani (1949–1960)
#3 Romeo Romanutti (1950–1958)
#8 Sandro Gamba (1950–1963)
#7 Gianfranco Pieri (1955–1968)
#10 Sandro Riminucci (1956–1970)
#9 Paolo Vittori (1959–1965)
#6 Gabriele Vianello (1962–1967)
#8 Massimo Masini (1963–1974)
#5 Giulio Iellini (1964–1975)
#18, #9 Vittorio Ferracini (1967–1969, 1973–1983)
#6 Giuseppe Brumatti (1967–1977)
#13 Renzo Bariviera (1969–1975)
#12 Vittorio Gallinari (1976–1987)
#11 Dino Meneghin (1980–1990, 1993–1994)
#10 Roberto Premier (1981–1989)
#7 Riccardo Pittis (1984–1993)
#12 Antonello Riva (1989–1994)
#5 Ferdinando Gentile (1994–1998)
#9 Marco Mordente (1996–2000, 2008–2011)
#11, #9 Massimo Bulleri (2005–2008, 2008–2009, 2009–2010)
#8 Danilo Gallinari (2006–2008; 2011)
#6 Stefano Mancinelli (2009–2012)
#9, #18 Nicolò Melli (2010–2015, 2021–2024)
#25, #5 Alessandro Gentile (2011–2016)
#13 Simone Fontecchio (2016–2019)
#00 Amedeo Della Valle (2018–2020)
#70 Luigi Datome (2020–2023)
#9 Skip Thoren (1965–1966)
#15 Bill Bradley (1965–1966)
#18 Art Kenney (1970–1973)
#15 Mike Sylvester (1975–1980)
#8 Mike D'Antoni (1977–1990)
#15 Joe Barry Carroll (1984–1985)
#14 Russ Schoene (1984–1986)
#13 Ken Barlow (1986–1987)
#15 Bob McAdoo (1986–1990)
#13 Ricky Brown (1987–1988)
#15 Darryl Dawkins (1991–1992)
#10 Antonio Davis (1992–1993)
#4, #19 Aleksandar Đorđević (1992–1994, 2005)
#47, #10 Hugo Sconochini (1993–1995, 2002–2004)
#10 Dejan Bodiroga (1994–1996)
#7 Gregor Fučka (1994–1997)
#15 Rolando Blackman (1995–1996)
#9 Giorgos Sigalas (1997–1998)
#12 Melvin Booker (1998–1999, 2007–2008)
#15 Mindaugas Katelynas (2007–2009)
#14, #34 David Hawkins (2008–2009, 2010–2011)
#12 Richard Mason Rocca (2008–2012)
#8 Jonas Mačiulis (2009–2011)
#15 Marijonas Petravičius (2009–2011)
#15 Ioannis Bourousis (2011–2013)
#7 Malik Hairston (2011–2013)
#23 Keith Langford (2012–2014)
#55 Curtis Jerrells (2013–2014; 2017–2019)
#24 Samardo Samuels (2013–2015)
#13 Milan Mačvan (2015–2017)
#43 Krunoslav Simon (2015–2017)
#21 Rakim Sanders (2016–2017)
#9 Mantas Kalnietis (2016–2018)
#0 Drew Goudelock (2017–2018)
#45 Dairis Bertāns (2017–2019)
#77 Artūras Gudaitis (2017–2020)
#5 Vladimir Micov (2017–2021)
#2 Mike James (2018–2019)
#19 Mindaugas Kuzminskas (2018–2019)
#16 Nemanja Nedović (2018–2020)
#32 Jeff Brooks (2018–2021)
#40 Luis Scola (2019–2020)
#13 Sergio Rodriguez (2019–2022)
#2 Zach LeDay (2020–2021, 2024–present)
#23 Malcolm Delaney (2020–2022)
#42 Kyle Hines (2020–present)
#31 Shavon Shields (2020–present)
#50 Ben Bentil (2021–2022)
#22 Devon Hall (2021–2024)
#12 Billy Baron (2022–2024)
#0 Brandon Davies (2022–2023)
#5 Kevin Pangos (2022–2023)
#77 Johannes Voigtmann (2022–2024)
#33 Nikola Mirotić (2023–2025)
Notes
[edit]- ^ Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
References
[edit]- ^ "CHI SIAMO " (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
- ^ "CI SIAMO: L'OLIMPIA TORNA EA7 E DOMANI SCATTA LA CAMPAGNA ABBONAMENTI "TUTTI #INSIEME"" [Here we go: Olimpia gets EA7 back and starts the season ticket campaign "All #together" tomorrow]. olimpiamilano.com (in Italian). 7 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "Le sedici squadre della Divisione Nazionale" [The sixteen teams of the National Division]. Il Littoriale (in Italian). 20 November 1936. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ "Olimpia, a star is born". www.olimpiamilano.com. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Giuseppe Liotta,Laura Santoro (2009). Giuffrè Editore (ed.). Lezioni di diritto sportivo [Sports law lessons]. p. 146. ISBN 978-88-14-14568-1.
- ^ a b "Dan Peterson Night". olimpiamilano.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Domestic leagues roundup: June 15, 2018". euroleague.net. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- ^ "Legend Messina takes reins in Milan". euroleague.net. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "Final Four-bound: AX Armani Exchange Milan". euroleague.net. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "CHI SIAMO " (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
- ^ Luigi Parodi e i tornei Sanremesi
- ^ "Olimpia will officially retire Mike D'Antoni's 8". olimpiamilano.com. 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Eleven Forever: Dino Meneghin's number 11 will be retired by Olimpia". olimpiamilano.com. 28 October 2019.
- ^ "EEleven Forever: the legendary career of Dino Meneghin and why he wore number 11". olimpiamilano.com. 11 November 2019.
- ^ "#ElevenForever, perché certe notti lasciano il segno e sono indimenticabili" (in Italian). olimpiamilano.com. 20 November 2019.
- ^ "The Arthur Kenney first person-diary". olimpiamilano.com. 31 May 2013.
- ^ Lega A page on the history of Olimpia Milano. (in Italian) Archived 2010-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Milano cambia "volto", sarà AX Armani Exchange anche in campionato" [Milan changes his "face", it will be AX Armani Exchange also in the Italian League]. basketinside.com (in Italian). 21 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Basket, l'Olimpia Milano cambia title sponsor: torna EA7 Emporio Armani" [Basketball, Olimpia Milano changes title sponsor: EA7 Emporio Armani is back]. sport.sky.it (in Italian). 7 July 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in English and Italian)
- 2018-19 LBA team page (in Italian)
- 2018-19 Euroleague team page (in English)
Olimpia Milano
View on GrokipediaHistory
Early years and Borletti era (1930–1955)
Olimpia Milano's basketball section was founded in 1936 as part of the Dopolavoro Borletti, a multi-sport recreational club established by the Fratelli Borletti company, an appliance manufacturer, to promote employee welfare in the aftermath of World War I.[6] The initiative reflected the era's emphasis on corporate-sponsored sports as a means of social cohesion and physical fitness, with basketball introduced amid Italy's growing interest in the sport during the 1920s and 1930s amateur leagues.[7] In 1936, the club was reorganized and renamed Gruppo Sportivo Olimpia Milano, marking its formal entry into competitive basketball under the Borletti sponsorship, which provided financial backing and facilities, positioning it as one of Italy's pioneering professionally supported teams.[8] The early years were marked by rapid success in the Italian championship, with Olimpia securing four consecutive titles from 1936 to 1939, establishing a dominant presence in the pre-war amateur era dominated by regional rivalries.[9] These victories, achieved under the Borletti banner, highlighted the club's organizational strength and attracted talent from across Italy, laying the groundwork for its identity as a Milanese powerhouse.[8] However, World War II disrupted operations profoundly; the national league was suspended from 1940 to 1945, leading to the temporary disbandment of the team amid wartime hardships, including player conscription and logistical challenges in occupied Italy. Post-war resumption in 1946 saw a gradual rebuild, with the club re-entering organized play and joining the newly formed Serie A professional league in the 1948–49 season, a pivotal step toward modernizing Italian basketball.[10] Under continued Borletti sponsorship, Olimpia professionalized further in the early 1950s, benefiting from the family's investment in infrastructure and talent acquisition, which included signing key players like Sergio Stefanini in 1949 to bolster scoring.[8] The era yielded five additional Italian championships in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1954, solidifying the club's domestic supremacy and contributing to the sport's growth in Italy.[9] Cesare Rubini, hired as a player in 1948, emerged as a foundational figure, bringing tactical expertise from his national team experience, while young talent Sandro Gamba debuted in 1945 and quickly became a star guard, renowned for his playmaking and defensive skills during the title-winning campaigns.[11][12] This period under Borletti not only professionalized the club but also set the stage for its transition to new sponsorship in 1956.[6]Simmenthal era (1956–1973)
In 1956, the Simmenthal meat processing company acquired sponsorship rights for Olimpia Milano, marking a significant shift that injected substantial financial resources into the club following its successful Borletti era. This investment enabled the recruitment of elite domestic and international talent, including American players like Bill Bradley, who joined in 1965, and facilitated upgrades to training facilities and travel logistics, such as private jets for European competitions. Under this backing, the team adopted the name Simmenthal Milano and established itself as Italy's premier basketball power, blending Italian precision with American athleticism to dominate the sport.[13] The Simmenthal era was defined by unparalleled domestic success, with the club securing 10 Italian League championships (Scudetti) between 1957 and 1972, including streaks of four consecutive titles from 1957 to 1960, two from 1962 to 1963, and four from 1965 to 1968. Cesare Rubini, who served as head coach from 1957 to 1972, was the architect of this dominance, amassing 10 league titles during his tenure and instilling a disciplined, high-tempo style that emphasized fast-break transitions to exploit defensive transitions. Key players like forward Gianmaria Cioni, guard Sandro Gamba (who later transitioned to coaching), and center Gianfranco Pieri formed the core of these squads, with Gamba's tactical acumen as an assistant complementing Rubini's motivational leadership. The team also captured its first Italian Cup in 1972, further solidifying its national supremacy.[14][15] On the European stage, Simmenthal Milano achieved pioneering breakthroughs, becoming the first Italian club to win the FIBA European Champions Cup in 1966 by defeating Slavia VŠ Praha 77-72 in the final at Milan's Palasport di San Siro, a victory highlighted by Bradley's 14 points and Pieri's defensive contributions. The following year, they reached the final again but fell to Real Madrid 83-91, showcasing their competitiveness against the era's top teams in a match marked by intense rivalry. These accomplishments elevated Italian basketball's profile, with the 1966 triumph drawing over 10,000 fans and inspiring widespread media coverage across Europe.[15][16] The club's global reach expanded through international tours, including a notable 1968 visit to the United States where Simmenthal Milano played exhibition games against college and professional teams, fostering exchanges that introduced European tactical depth to American audiences and vice versa. These outings, organized under Rubini's guidance, not only boosted player development but also enhanced the team's reputation abroad, with matches against squads like the New York Knicks affiliates generating buzz in U.S. sports circles.[17] The era waned in the early 1970s amid sponsorship transitions and key retirements, as Rubini stepped down in 1972 after guiding the team to its final Scudetto of the period, and Simmenthal's involvement concluded in 1973, ushering in a phase of rebuilding for the club.[14][18]Rebuilding period (1974–2007)
Following the departure of long-term sponsor Simmenthal in 1973 after 17 successful years, Olimpia Milano encountered financial instability that marked the beginning of a transitional era, prompting shifts in sponsorship to maintain operations.[6] The club secured new backers, including Billy from 1978 to 1983, Simac from 1983 to 1986, and Tracer from 1986 to 1988, alongside others like Philips, which provided essential support amid economic pressures in the 1970s and 1980s.[6] Under coach Dan Peterson, who led the team from 1982 to 1987, Olimpia experienced a resurgence, capturing Italian League championships (Scudetti) in 1982, 1985, and 1986, as well as the 1985 FIBA Korać Cup by defeating FC Barcelona in the final.[13] In European competition, the team reached the 1983 FIBA European Champions Cup final but fell short against Ford Cantù, 69-68, in a closely contested match at the Palais des Sports in Grenoble.[19] The late 1980s and 1990s brought mixed results, with continued domestic success including additional Scudetti in 1987 and 1989, but growing competitive challenges in Europe where no Champions Cup titles were secured despite strong showings, such as semifinals in 1992.[1] Ownership changed hands in 1994 when Bepi Stefanel acquired the franchise, enabling the signing of international talents like Dejan Bodiroga, who joined in 1994 and played a pivotal role in the 1996 Scudetto victory alongside players such as Gregor Fučka and Sandro De Pol.[20] That year also saw Olimpia win the Coppa Italia, their first since 1972.[13] On the European front, the club claimed a second FIBA Korać Cup in 1993, led by point guard Saša Đorđević, defeating Virtus Roma in the final series.[13] However, inconsistent performances in the FIBA European Champions Cup, including quarterfinal exits in several seasons, highlighted the difficulties in recapturing the dominance of prior eras. Entering the new millennium, Olimpia transitioned to the EuroLeague format in 2000, marking a new chapter in European play, though the club grappled with financial woes and on-court struggles in the early 2000s.[1] By 2004, facing bankruptcy risks amid mounting debts, the team received stabilizing sponsorship from Giorgio Armani through his Armani Jeans brand, averting collapse and laying groundwork for future recovery. Despite these low points, Olimpia secured the Coppa Italia in 2006, providing a glimmer of resurgence before the period's end.[13]Contemporary era (2008–present)
The contemporary era of Olimpia Milano marks a period of revival and sustained success following Giorgio Armani's acquisition of full ownership in 2008, which rescued the club from financial peril and injected stability through substantial sponsorship.[5] The team initially competed as Armani Jeans Milano before adopting the EA7 Emporio Armani branding in 2011, reflecting Armani's sportswear line and enhancing the club's visibility.[21] By 2025, Armani's cumulative investment surpassed €226 million, including €21.6 million in the 2024 financial year alone, funding operations, player acquisitions, and enhancements to the Mediolanum Forum, such as improved seating and fan amenities to boost capacity and experience.[22][1] Domestically, Olimpia reasserted dominance, securing Scudetti in 2014 against Montepaschi Siena, 2016 over Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia, 2018 versus Dolomiti Energia Trento, 2022 against Virtus Segafredo Bologna, 2023 in a Game 7 thriller versus Bologna, and 2024 for a third consecutive title, also against Bologna.[23][24][25][26][27][28] These victories, the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh under Armani, underscored a return to elite contention after sporadic rebuilding efforts. The club also claimed multiple Coppa Italia titles, including in 2016 over Sidigas Avellino, 2017 against Banco di Sardegna Dinamo Sassari, and 2022 versus Bertram Tortona, contributing to a trophy haul that highlighted consistent national prowess.[29][30][31] In European competition, Olimpia experienced resurgence by reaching the 2014 EuroLeague Final Four at the Mediolanum Forum, where they advanced to the final but fell to Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, 98–86.[32] Subsequent seasons saw regular playoff contention, with the 2020–21 campaign disrupted by COVID-19 protocols after the 2019–20 season's cancellation without a champion, yet the team adapted to secure strong domestic results amid health challenges.[33] Coaching stability came with Simone Pianigiani's appointment in 2017, leading to the 2018 Scudetto before his 2019 departure, followed by Ettore Messina's arrival in 2022, who orchestrated the three-peat and EuroLeague pushes.[34][35] As of November 2025, in the 2024–25 season, Olimpia is positioned 4th in the Lega Basket Serie A with a 5–2 record and remains competitive in the EuroLeague, evidenced by key wins like a 90–76 Supercoppa Italiana triumph over Germani Brescia in September 2024.[36] This ongoing competitiveness, bolstered by Armani's financial commitment guaranteeing a €25–30 million annual budget, positions the club for continued elite status in both Italy and Europe.[37]Club Identity
Logos
The visual branding of Olimpia Milano has evolved alongside its sponsorship partnerships and historical milestones, with logos consistently featuring the club's signature red and white colors to symbolize energy, passion, and Milanese pride. These colors have remained a core element since the club's founding, inspiring the enduring nickname "Scarpette Rosse" (Little Red Shoes), which originated in the 1950s when team officials imported red Converse All-Star shoes from the United States for players, marking a pivotal moment in the club's early international influence.[21] In the early years from the 1930s to the 1950s, during the Borletti era, the logo was a simple emblem tied to the Olimpia multi-sport club's origins, emphasizing basic typography and the team's initial name Dopolavoro Borletti without elaborate motifs, reflecting the modest beginnings of Italian basketball at the time. The design shifted with the Simmenthal sponsorship from 1956 to 1973, incorporating brand-specific elements like meat product motifs alongside basketball icons such as a ball or hoop, to align with the sponsor's identity while maintaining red and white dominance. Subsequent rebuilding periods from the 1970s to 2000s saw logos adapt to sponsors like Billy, Simac, Tracer, and Philips, often featuring more functional designs with the sponsor's name prominently displayed above or beside the Olimpia script, prioritizing commercial visibility over artistic flair. The Armani era, beginning with sponsorship in 2004 and ownership in 2008, introduced minimalist logos influenced by fashion aesthetics, including geometric patterns and clean lines that echoed Emporio Armani's elegant style. A major redesign in 2016 created a fresher, more attractive emblem, reducing emphasis on the sponsor name "EA7 Emporio Armani" and reverting to a prominent "Olimpia Milano" focus for a streamlined look suitable for EuroLeague competition.[38] This version featured subtle geometric elements in red and white, symbolizing modernity and heritage. Over its nearly 90-year history, Olimpia Milano has undergone approximately five to six major logo redesigns, each tied to sponsorship transitions or branding refreshes: the initial 1930s emblem (simple text-based), the 1950s Simmenthal integration (brand motifs added), 1970s-1980s sponsor-heavy variants (functional overlays), 1990s-2000s Philips-era updates (corporate alignment), the 2011 Armani minimalist shift (geometric fashion influence), and the 2016 iteration (clean "O" evolution). Colors transitioned from primary red-white to occasional black-gold accents in Armani-era variants for premium appeal, but red-white always anchored the identity. In 2025, for the club's 90th anniversary, fans voted on a special commemorative logo to feature on jerseys during the 2025-2026 season, blending historical nods with contemporary design to honor the founding in 1936.[39] This reflects ongoing ties to sponsorships like Emporio Armani, where visual branding underscores commercial partnerships without overshadowing the core Olimpia identity.Sponsorship names
Olimpia Milano, like many Italian basketball clubs, has frequently adopted sponsorship names as part of commercial partnerships, reflecting the league's tradition of integrating corporate branding into team identities. These changes have often aligned with periods of competitive success and financial support from sponsors in industries such as manufacturing, food, electronics, and fashion. The sponsorships have enhanced the club's visibility by leveraging the sponsors' marketing networks, contributing to its status as one of Europe's most prominent teams.[6] From its founding in 1936 until 1955, the club was primarily known as Borletti Milano, sponsored by the Borletti Group, an Italian manufacturer of household appliances and sewing machines founded by Giovanni Borletti. This early partnership provided crucial financial backing during the club's formative years, helping establish it as a competitive force in Italian basketball and enabling investments in talent acquisition. The Borletti era laid the groundwork for Olimpia's identity, with the sponsor's name prominently featured in team branding.[6][8] In 1956, the team rebranded to Simmenthal Milano under sponsorship from Simmenthal, a leading Italian food company specializing in meat extracts and canned products. This partnership lasted until 1973 and marked one of the most successful periods in club history, including multiple Italian championships and European titles, as the sponsor's resources funded star players like John McMillian. Simmenthal's involvement significantly boosted the team's international profile, associating basketball excellence with a household brand.[6][8] The 1970s saw a transition with Billy Milano as sponsor from 1978 to 1983, where Billy was an Italian footwear and apparel brand. This era helped stabilize the club during a rebuilding phase post-Simmenthal, offering marketing synergies that increased fan engagement and jersey sales, though competitive results were mixed.[21][40] During the 1980s, sponsorships included Xerox Milano from 1976 to 1979, from the American photocopier giant, which supported roster development with imports like Chuck Jura, enhancing technical innovation in team operations through the sponsor's corporate ethos. This was followed by Simac Milano from 1983 to 1986, then Tracer Milano, a sportswear and clothing sponsor, from 1986 to 1988, during which the team won the FIBA European Champions Cup in 1987, dramatically elevating the club's prestige and fan base through high-profile European campaigns. Philips Milano, an electronics firm known for consumer goods, took over from 1988 to 1993, coinciding with renewed domestic success and providing global visibility via the brand's European network. These electronics and apparel partnerships in the 1980s underscored Olimpia's resurgence, with sponsors funding competitive squads that captured three straight Italian titles.[6][41] (Note: Used for player association, but primary from official fact sheet)[42] The 1990s and early 2000s featured varied sponsors like Stefanel (clothing, mid-1990s) and others including Recoaro (beverages) and Sony (electronics), maintaining continuity amid fluctuating fortunes. These partnerships provided essential revenue but were shorter-term, reflecting the club's transitional phase.[6] A pivotal shift occurred in 2004 with Armani Jeans Milano, sponsored by the luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani, before the group acquired ownership in 2008. This fashion industry tie-in revitalized the club, funding high-caliber signings and infrastructure, leading to multiple trophies and restoring elite status. In 2011, the name evolved to EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (until 2018), then A|X Armani Exchange Milano (2018–2022), before returning to EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (2022–present), referencing Armani's sportswear line, further embedding the brand in team aesthetics and global marketing. As of 2025, this sponsorship continues, with the Armani Group providing a record €21.6 million in the 2024 financial year, the highest sponsorship amount in club history, ensuring sustained competitiveness in EuroLeague and domestic leagues while amplifying luxury branding through basketball.[5][43][39]| Period | Sponsorship Name | Industry | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936–1955 | Borletti Milano | Household appliances | Established foundational stability and early competitiveness.[6] |
| 1956–1973 | Simmenthal Milano | Food (meat products) | Enabled golden era with European successes and star imports.[6] |
| 1978–1983 | Billy Milano | Footwear/apparel | Supported rebuilding with increased merchandise visibility.[21] |
| 1976–1979 | Xerox Milano | Office equipment | Bolstered roster with international talent.[6] |
| 1983–1986 | Simac Milano | Electronics | Stabilized during transition period.[42] |
| 1986–1988 | Tracer Milano | Sportswear | Culminated in 1987 European championship victory.[41] |
| 1988–1993 | Philips Milano | Electronics | Coincided with domestic title runs and global exposure.[6] |
| 2004–2011 | Armani Jeans Milano | Luxury fashion | Revitalized club finances and led to ownership transition.[5] |
| 2011–present | EA7 / A | X Armani Exchange Milano | Luxury sportswear |
Facilities
Primary arena
The primary arena for Olimpia Milano is the Unipol Forum, located in Assago, approximately 3 km south of central Milan. Opened in November 1990, the multi-purpose indoor venue replaced the older Palasport di San Siro as the club's main home court. It serves as the exclusive host for all of Olimpia Milano's EuroLeague and Serie A home games, accommodating the team's professional basketball operations under its EA7 Emporio Armani sponsorship.[44] The arena's basketball configuration seats 12,700 spectators, with a general maximum capacity of up to 15,800 for other events like concerts. Originally named PalaSharp after its initial sponsor, it underwent several naming changes: DatchForum from 2000 to 2008, Mediolanum Forum from 2009 to 2023 (reflecting Banca Mediolanum's sponsorship), and Unipol Forum starting in May 2024 through a multi-year deal with the Italian financial group Unipol. Ownership and management are handled by Forumnet S.p.A., ensuring ongoing maintenance and event operations.[44][45][1] Significant renovations have enhanced the facility's functionality and spectator experience. In 2014, ahead of hosting the EuroLeague Final Four, upgrades increased the basketball seating from 11,500 to 12,700, including improved access and safety features. Further work from 2016 to 2018 focused on regulatory compliance, expanded capacity, new internal signage, and modernized lighting systems installed by Cree Lighting to optimize visibility and energy efficiency during games. Notable features include a state-of-the-art video scoreboard for real-time statistics and replays, dedicated fan zones for pre-game activities, and versatile multisport areas supporting basketball training.[46] The Unipol Forum will host figure skating and short track speed skating as the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Olimpia Milano announced temporary relocations for select 2025-2026 season games to secondary sites like Allianz Cloud from December 2025 to February 2026, while maintaining Unipol Forum as the primary venue outside this period. No specific sustainability upgrades for the arena were detailed in 2024 announcements, though Unipol's broader corporate commitments emphasize environmental initiatives aligned with regional Olympic legacies.[47][48][49]Secondary arenas
Throughout its history, Olimpia Milano has utilized several secondary arenas for home games, training, and youth activities when the primary venue was unavailable or during transitional periods. The PalaLido di Milano, originally opened in 1961, served as an early home venue for the club starting in the 1960s, accommodating crowds of approximately 5,000 spectators for basketball matches.[50][51] In the late 1970s, the club shifted to the Palasport di San Siro, a multi-sport facility built in 1976 near the famous San Siro Stadium, which hosted Olimpia's games until 1985 when its roof collapsed due to heavy snowfall.[52][53] This arena, shared with volleyball and other events, had a capacity suitable for professional basketball but was temporary in nature during the club's venue transitions. The renovated Allianz Cloud, built on the site of the original PalaLido and reopened in June 2019, now functions as the primary secondary arena with a capacity of 5,400 seats.[50][54] It has hosted Olimpia Milano matches, including a celebratory return game in September 2019 attended by 5,000 fans, and serves for youth academy sessions and practices.[51] Due to preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the club will use the Allianz Cloud for all home games from December 2025 to February 2026, as well as for Coppa Italia qualifiers and other events when the Unipol Forum is unavailable.[55][47]Players
Current roster
As of November 15, 2025, the roster of Olimpia Milano (also known as EA7 Emporio Armani Milan) for the 2025–26 season features a balanced mix of international veterans and emerging talents, emphasizing perimeter scoring and frontcourt versatility under head coach Ettore Messina.[56][57] Key offseason transactions included the signing of point guard Lorenzo Brown on a one-year deal to bolster playmaking after his stint in Spain, and the addition of Quinn Ellis as a rookie guard via free agency to inject athleticism into the backcourt.[58] Recent mid-season moves: Nate Sestina signed October 20, 2025 (#77, PF); Leonardo Totè signed September 22, 2025 (#35, C); Vlatko Čančar mutually parted ways October 22, 2025 due to knee injury.[59][60][61] Multiple injuries are impacting the lineup as of November 15, 2025, including Zach LeDay (muscle, ongoing), Josh Nebo (concussion from November 13 slip, unavailable), Lorenzo Brown (long-term unspecified), Shavon Shields (out), and Nate Sestina (triceps, potential month out), prompting small-ball adjustments and elevation of reserves like Bryant Dunston and Giampaolo Ricci.[62][63][64][65] The team typically deploys a starting lineup of Nico Mannion at point guard, Marko Gudurić at shooting guard, Leandro Bolmaro at small forward, Zach LeDay at power forward, and Josh Nebo at center when healthy, with bench depth provided by Stefano Tonut, Shavon Shields, and Devin Booker for scoring and rebounding.[66]| No. | Player | Position | Nationality | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niccolò Mannion | PG | Italy/USA | 1.90 m | Team captain; multi-year contract extension in 2024 for leadership role.[67] |
| 2 | Lorenzo Brown | PG/SG | USA/Spain | 1.96 m | 2025 signing; EuroLeague veteran with strong assist numbers. Out long-term injured as of Nov 2025.[58][64] |
| 3 | Quinn Ellis | PG | USA | 1.95 m | 2025 free agent addition; rookie with college scoring pedigree.[57] |
| 6 | Devin Booker | C | USA | 2.05 m | 2025 signing; athletic center for rim protection.[57][68] |
| 7 | Stefano Tonut | SG | Italy | 1.94 m | Long-term club member; key sixth man for perimeter defense.[69] |
| 10 | Leandro Bolmaro | SG/SF | Argentina/Italy | 2.00 m | 2024 extension; versatile wing with NBA experience.[70] |
| 12 | Armoni Brooks | SG | USA | 1.91 m | Mid-season acquisition in 2025; provides shooting depth.[58] |
| 16 | Zach LeDay | PF | USA | 2.00 m | Re-signed for 2025–26; reliable forward with EuroLeague scoring average over 10 PPG. Ongoing muscle injury as of Nov 2025.[69][62] |
| 17 | Giampaolo Ricci | PF | Italy | 2.02 m | Homegrown talent; bench contributor with rebounding focus.[69] |
| 21 | Diego Flaccadori | PG/SG | Italy | 1.95 m | Multi-year extension in 2025; defensive specialist.[71][58] |
| 23 | Marko Gudurić | SG/SF | Serbia | 1.96 m | Multi-year deal July 2025; versatile wing scorer.[72][73] |
| 31 | Shavon Shields | SF | USA/Italy | 1.98 m | Multi-year deal; starting forward known for clutch performances. Out injured as of Nov 2025.[69][64] |
| 32 | Josh Nebo | C | USA | 2.06 m | Depth big man; signed in summer 2025 for rebounding. Concussion, unavailable as of Nov 15, 2025.[56][63] |
| 35 | Leonardo Totè | C | Italy | 2.11 m | Signed Sep 2025; developmental center with Italian League experience.[60] |
| 42 | Bryant Dunston | C | USA | 2.03 m | Veteran leader; short-term contract for mentorship.[56] |
| 77 | Nate Sestina | PF/C | USA | 2.06 m | Signed Oct 20, 2025; stretch forward. Triceps injury, potential month out as of Nov 2025.[59][65] |
| 0 | Ousmane Diop | C | Spain | 2.04 m | Young prospect; developmental role in rotation.[56] |
Depth chart
The depth chart for Olimpia Milano in the 2025–2026 season emphasizes a balanced rotation under head coach Ettore Messina, who prioritizes defensive versatility and perimeter shooting while relying on experienced big men for rebounding and interior presence. The typical starting five features Nico Mannion at point guard, Marko Gudurić at shooting guard, Leandro Bolmaro at small forward, Zach LeDay at power forward, and Josh Nebo at center, forming a unit capable of switching on defense and spacing the floor effectively. Bench players provide specialized roles, such as 3-point shooting from Quinn Ellis and veteran leadership from Stefano Tonut, allowing for staggered minutes to maintain energy levels.[74][57][66] However, as of November 15, 2025, mid-season injuries have necessitated adaptations, with Zach LeDay (muscle, ongoing), Josh Nebo (concussion from Nov 13 slip, unavailable), Lorenzo Brown (long-term), Shavon Shields (out), and Nate Sestina (triceps, potential month out) sidelined, prompting Messina to elevate reserves like Bryant Dunston, Leonardo Totè, and Giampaolo Ricci into larger roles and adjust lineups for more small-ball options. No major trades have occurred since Vlatko Čančar's departure in October 2025.[62][63][64][65][61][75]Point Guards
The point guard group offers a mix of scoring creativity and defensive tenacity, with 2–3 players rotating based on matchup needs. Nico Mannion serves as the primary starter, leveraging his quickness and playmaking, while Quinn Ellis, a 2025 rookie addition, specializes in off-ball shooting as a key reserve. Diego Flaccadori provides defensive depth.Shooting Guards
Shooting guards focus on perimeter defense and transition scoring, with Marko Gudurić anchoring the position at 1.96 m and providing multi-positional flexibility. Reserves include veterans like Stefano Tonut (1.94 m) for clutch scoring and Armoni Brooks for athletic wing play.Small Forwards
The small forward spot emphasizes versatile wings who can guard multiple positions, led by Shavon Shields (1.98 m) as a starter known for his scoring efficiency when healthy. Leandro Bolmaro (2.00 m) backs him up with strong rebounding for his size and NBA experience.Power Forwards
Power forwards blend stretch shooting with physicality, with Zach LeDay (2.00 m) as the usual starter, though his injury has shifted duties to Giampaolo Ricci (2.02 m). Nate Sestina (2.06 m) adds forward-center versatility from the bench when healthy. Ousmane Diop (2.04 m) provides athleticism.Centers
The center rotation prioritizes rim protection and pick-and-roll finishing, with Josh Nebo (2.06 m) starting when healthy, supported by veteran Bryant Dunston (2.03 m) for leadership and rebounding. Devin Booker (2.05 m) and Leonardo Totè (2.11 m) provide depth, with Booker often used in smaller lineups.[57][58][56]| Position | Player | Height (m) | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Guard | Nico Mannion | 1.90 | Veteran (NBA/EuroLeague) |
| Point Guard | Lorenzo Brown | 1.96 | Veteran (NBA/EuroLeague) |
| Point Guard | Quinn Ellis | 1.95 | Rookie (NCAA/Prospect) |
| Point Guard | Diego Flaccadori | 1.95 | Veteran (Italian League) |
| Shooting Guard | Leandro Bolmaro | 2.00 | Veteran (NBA/EuroLeague) |
| Shooting Guard | Stefano Tonut | 1.94 | Veteran (Italian League) |
| Shooting Guard | Armoni Brooks | 1.91 | Mid-level (NBA G-League) |
| Shooting Guard | Marko Gudurić | 1.96 | Veteran (EuroLeague) |
| Small Forward | Shavon Shields | 1.98 | Veteran (EuroLeague) |
| Small Forward | Leandro Bolmaro | 2.00 | Veteran (NBA/EuroLeague) |
| Power Forward | Zach LeDay | 2.00 | Veteran (EuroLeague) |
| Power Forward | Giampaolo Ricci | 2.02 | Veteran (Italian League) |
| Power Forward | Ousmane Diop | 2.04 | Mid-level (EuroLeague) |
| Power Forward | Nate Sestina | 2.06 | Mid-level (EuroLeague) |
| Center | Josh Nebo | 2.06 | Mid-level (EuroLeague) |
| Center | Bryant Dunston | 2.03 | Veteran (EuroLeague) |
| Center | Devin Booker | 2.05 | Veteran (EuroLeague) |
| Center | Leonardo Totè | 2.11 | Mid-level (Italian League) |
Notable former players
Sandro Gamba, a pivotal figure in Olimpia Milano's early dominance during the 1950s and 1960s, played his entire club career with the team from 1949 to 1963, contributing to 10 Italian League championships (1951–1954, 1957–1960, 1962–1963). As captain and symbol of the club, Gamba's leadership helped secure two FIBA European Champions Cup titles in 1966 and 1967, though those came later in his coaching role; his playing era laid the foundation for Milano's golden age. Internationally, he captained the Italian national team at the 1960 Rome Olympics, earning a silver medal and establishing himself as a FIBA Hall of Famer in 2023 for his contributions to European basketball.[76][77] In the 1980s, Mike D'Antoni emerged as one of the club's most prolific guards, playing from 1977 to 1990 and becoming the all-time leading scorer for Olimpia Milano with over 5,000 points in league play. Naturalized Italian, he served as the first non-Italian captain and led the team to three consecutive Italian League titles (1985–1987) and a Saporta Cup victory in 1987, showcasing his playmaking with averages exceeding 20 points per game in key seasons. D'Antoni's international impact included representing Italy at the 1984 Olympics and multiple EuroBaskets, later earning induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 as a contributor.[78][79] Bob McAdoo, an NBA Hall of Famer, joined Olimpia Milano from 1987 to 1990, bringing scoring prowess that averaged 25.4 points per game in his debut EuroLeague season of 1987-88, helping secure the Italian League title in 1987 and a FIBA European Champions Cup final appearance in 1988. His tenure revitalized the team's offense during a transitional era, and he was inducted into the Olimpia Milano Hall of Fame in 2013. Dino Meneghin, another Italian legend and FIBA Hall of Famer, played for Milano from 1981 to 1990, winning five Italian League championships (1982, 1985–1987, 1990) and two FIBA European Champions Cup titles (1987, 1988), while representing Italy in four Olympics, including a bronze at the 1980 Moscow Games.[80][81][82] Dejan Bodiroga, a Serbian star of the 1990s and early 2000s, spent two seasons with Olimpia Milano (1995–1997), winning the 1995-96 Italian League championship and reaching two Korac Cup finals, where his scoring and versatility—averaging 18 points per game—earned him EuroLeague MVP honors in 1996. As a long-tenured European icon, Bodiroga later captured three EuroLeague titles with other clubs but was honored in Milano's Hall of Fame in 2013; internationally, he secured Olympic silver in 1996 and three EuroBasket golds (1995, 1997, 2001) with Yugoslavia.[83][84] In the 2010s, Malcolm Delaney provided scoring leadership from 2020 to 2023, helping win the Italian League in 2022 and earning Italian Cup MVP in 2022 with 21 points in the final, while averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists per game in his standout 2020-21 EuroLeague season. Sergio Rodriguez, the Spanish point guard, played for Milano from 2019 to 2022, contributing to the 2021 Italian Cup, 2020 Supercup, and 2022 League title, with his playmaking (5.8 assists per game in 2020-21) and three-point shooting (50% in early 2020) key to the success; he entered the Olimpia Hall of Fame in 2024 and represented Spain at two Olympics (2008, 2012). These players, many Hall of Famers, shaped Milano's legacy through titles and international representation.[85][86][87]Retired numbers
Olimpia Milano has retired several jersey numbers to honor individuals who made profound contributions to the club's history, primarily through on-court excellence, leadership, and long-term loyalty. These retirements recognize players and one coach whose tenures aligned with eras of domestic dominance and European success, such as multiple Italian League championships in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The honored jerseys are displayed in the rafters of the Mediolanum Forum, the club's primary arena, symbolizing their enduring legacy.[88] The number 8 is uniquely retired in honor of two figures: Sandro Gamba, a legendary Italian player and captain who led Olimpia to seven Italian League titles between 1950 and 1963, establishing the club's early dominance in European basketball during the 1960s; his jersey was retired on December 17, 2021, during a halftime ceremony against Virtus Bologna, attended by club owner Giorgio Armani and former teammate Dino Meneghin.[89][90] Mike D'Antoni, an American-Italian guard who played from 1975 to 1980 and contributed to three league titles with his scoring prowess and playmaking, shares the honor; his retirement occurred on March 13, 2015, at halftime of a EuroLeague game against Unicaja Málaga.[91] Number 11 belongs to Dino Meneghin, an Italian center and FIBA Hall of Famer who spent much of his career (1973–1980 and 1990–1993) with Olimpia, winning five Italian titles and helping secure the club's first EuroLeague crown in 1987; it was retired on December 3, 2019, in a ceremony at the Mediolanum Forum following a EuroLeague matchup with Maccabi Tel Aviv.[81][92] Arthur Kenney's number 18 was retired for the American forward-center who played from 1970 to 1973, bringing international talent and contributing to back-to-back Italian League wins in 1972 and 1973 through his rebounding and scoring; the ceremony took place in May 2013 during the club's 80th anniversary celebrations.[17][93] In a departure from player honors, number 36 was retired for coach Dan Peterson, who guided Olimpia to five Italian titles and the 1987 EuroLeague victory from 1979 to 1987 and briefly in 2011, revolutionizing the team's style with fast-paced offense; the "Dan Peterson Night" ceremony occurred on April 2, 2023, during a league game against Reyer Venezia.[88][94]| Number | Honoree | Role | Tenure | Retirement Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Sandro Gamba | Player | 1950–1963 | December 17, 2021 | Captain and symbol of 1960s championships; seven Italian League titles.[90][89] |
| 8 | Mike D'Antoni | Player | 1975–1980 | March 13, 2015 | Key scorer in three-title era; bridged American and Italian basketball styles.[91] |
| 11 | Dino Meneghin | Player | 1973–1980, 1990–1993 | December 3, 2019 | Five domestic titles and 1987 EuroLeague win; FIBA Hall of Famer.[81] |
| 18 | Arthur Kenney | Player | 1970–1973 | May 2013 | Rebounding force in two consecutive league championships.[17] |
| 36 | Dan Peterson | Coach | 1979–1987, 2011 | April 2, 2023 | Architect of five titles and 1987 EuroLeague triumph; innovative tactics.[88] |
Achievements
Domestic competitions
Olimpia Milano holds the record for the most Serie A championships (Scudetti) in Italian basketball history, with 31 titles as of the 2023–24 season.[96] The club dominated the early years of the competition, winning the first four consecutive titles from 1935–36 to 1938–39, followed by a post-war surge with seven victories in the late 1940s and 1950s (1949–50, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1956–57, 1957–58) and eight in the late 1950s and 1960s (1958–59, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67). Additional triumphs came in 1971–72, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1995–96, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24, including three consecutive wins from 2021–22 to 2023–24 under coach Ettore Messina.[3][7] The club has secured the Coppa Italia 8 times, tying with Virtus Bologna and Benetton Treviso for the second-most wins behind Varese's 9. Victories occurred in 1971–72 (defeating Ignis Varese), 1985–86 (defeating Scavolini Pesaro), 1986–87 (defeating Scavolini Pesaro), 1995–96 (defeating Scavolini Pesaro), 2015–16 (defeating Sidigas Avellino), 2016–17 (defeating Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia), 2020–21 (defeating Reyer Venezia), and 2021–22 (defeating Nutribullet Treviso). These successes highlight Olimpia's strength in knockout formats, with multiple back-to-back wins in the 1980s and 2020s. Olimpia Milano has claimed the Supercoppa Italiana 6 times since the competition's inception in 1995, tying with Mens Sana Siena for the most titles. The wins came in 2016 (defeating Sidigas Avellino), 2017 (defeating Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia), 2018 (defeating Germani Brescia), 2020 (defeating Virtus Bologna), 2024 (defeating Virtus Bologna), and 2025 (defeating Germani Brescia).[97] In all-time Serie A records, Olimpia Milano boasts the highest number of championships and a historic 47-game winning streak from 1962 to 1964, the longest in league history. The club maintains a favorable head-to-head record against primary rival Virtus Bologna, leading 50–37 in documented regular-season and playoff meetings as of 2025. As of November 2025, in the early 2025–26 Serie A season, Olimpia sits third in the standings with a 75% win rate after four games (3 wins, 1 loss).[98][99]European competitions
Olimpia Milano boasts one of the richest legacies in European basketball, with three EuroLeague championships to its name, won in 1966, 1987, and 1988. The club's first triumph came in the 1965–66 FIBA European Champions Cup, defeating Vasas Budapest 79–74 in the final held in Prague, marking Italy's inaugural title in the competition. This success was followed by a runner-up finish in 1967, where they lost to Real Madrid in the final. The late 1980s resurgence under coach Franco Casalini saw consecutive victories: in 1987, Tracer Milano edged Maccabi Tel Aviv 71–69 in the final in Lausanne, and in 1988, they overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv 90–84 in Ghent to secure back-to-back crowns, propelled by stars like Bob McAdoo and Dino Meneghin.[1][1] In the modern EuroLeague era, Olimpia has maintained a prominent presence, qualifying for the competition nearly every season since its inception in 2000 and accumulating over 400 all-time wins, placing them among the leaders in total victories. The club has reached the Final Four three times: claiming the 1988 title, finishing third in 1992, and returning after a 29-year absence in 2021, where they fell in the semifinals to FC Barcelona 84–82 before securing third place with a 79–71 win over Anadolu Efes. Olimpia's consistent participation underscores their status as a foundational club in European basketball, with players like Nicolò Melli holding team records for most EuroLeague appearances (over 200 games).[100][101][102] Beyond the EuroLeague, Olimpia has excelled in other FIBA and ULEB-organized events. They captured the FIBA Saporta Cup three times—1971, 1972, and 1976—establishing dominance in Europe's secondary club competition during the 1970s. Additionally, the team won the FIBA Korać Cup in 1985 and 1993, with the latter victory coming against Aris Thessaloniki in the final. Olimpia has also competed in the EuroCup multiple times, notably advancing to the Last 16 in the 2003–04 and 2006–07 seasons, though without securing a title.[1][1][103] In the most recent 2024–25 EuroLeague campaign, Olimpia Milano posted a balanced 17–17 regular-season record, qualifying for the play-in round where they were eliminated, highlighting their competitive edge amid a transitional period under coach Ettore Messina. The club's historical contributions extend to individual accolades, with former players like Meneghin ranking among the all-time EuroLeague scoring leaders with over 4,000 points across his career.[104][1]Other competitions
Olimpia Milano achieved a significant international milestone by winning the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 1987, defeating FC Barcelona 100–84 in the final played at the Palatrussardi in Milan.[105] This victory, under coach Franco Casalini, marked the club's only title in the competition, which pitted European champions against South American counterparts.[106] The team also competed in the inaugural editions of the McDonald's Championship, an early precursor to modern club world tournaments. In 1987, Olimpia finished third in Milwaukee, and in 1989, they reached the semifinals in Rome before securing third place overall with a 136–104 win over FC Barcelona in the consolation game.[107] Beyond official global events, Olimpia has a history of participation in unofficial and friendly international competitions. In the 1960s, the club won the Latin Cup in 1966, a regional tournament for teams from Latin European countries. The team has also engaged in various preseason friendlies and exhibitions, including matchups against NBA teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks in 1987 and the New York Knicks in 2010.[108] In recent years, coverage of Olimpia's youth squads in international settings remains limited, but the club's under-18 team participated in the SAM Basket International Youth Tournament in 2019, contributing to ongoing global development efforts.[109]Season-by-season
Domestic league performance
Olimpia Milano, founded in 1936, has competed in Italy's top-tier basketball league, initially known as Serie A and later as Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), achieving unparalleled success with a record 31 league championships. The club's domestic performance has been marked by eras of dominance, where they often topped regular season standings and swept through playoffs, contrasted by periods of struggle amid intense competition from rivals like Virtus Bologna and Pallacanestro Varese. Their achievements also include 8 Coppa Italia titles, with notable wins in recent years reinforcing their status as Italy's premier club.[110] The 1930s marked the club's earliest success with 4 league titles (1936–1939). The 1950s represented Olimpia's first golden era, during which they captured 5 league titles (1950–1954), frequently posting undefeated or near-perfect regular season records under legendary coach Cesare Rubini, who led the team to multiple Coppa Italia triumphs as well. This period solidified their early reputation, with the team averaging over 80% win rates in league play and advancing to finals almost annually. The 1960s extended this success with 6 additional titles (1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967), though playoff formats were less structured, emphasizing regular season supremacy.[9][111] The 1970s saw continued success with 1 title (1972) alongside consistent top-5 finishes, as emerging teams challenged their hegemony; however, they secured a Coppa Italia in 1971. The 1980s revived dominance, yielding 5 championships (1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989) under coaches like Franco Marcelletti, highlighted by strong playoff performances including a 1987 sweep in the finals. Olimpia also won Coppa Italia titles in 1986 and 1987 during this run.[21] The 1990s proved challenging overall but included 1 league title (1996) amid frequent mid-table finishes or early playoff exits, such as missing the postseason in 1993–94 and 1995–96 amid roster instability and financial issues; their best result was a fourth-place regular season in 1992–93, but they exited playoffs in the quarterfinals. This decade's struggles contrasted sharply with prior success, as competitors like Benetton Treviso dominated. No Coppa Italia wins occurred, underscoring the era's challenges.[21] The 2000s marked a resurgence, with 4 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2011), including Coppa Italia victories in 2006 and 2007. The 2010s and early 2020s brought further glory, with titles in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2023, and 2024, often clinched in grueling playoff series under coaches like Luca Banchi and Ettore Messina, alongside Coppa Italia wins in 2016, 2017, and 2021. These eras featured high regular season win percentages, typically above 75%, and deep postseason runs.[100][1]| Season | Regular Season Record (W-L) | Playoff Result | Coppa Italia | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | 22–8 | Runners-up | Champions | Simone Pianigiani |
| 2017–18 | 19–11 | Champions | Quarterfinals | Simone Pianigiani |
| 2018–19 | 23–7 | Runners-up | Semifinals | Ettore Messina |
| 2019–20 | 17–3* | N/A (COVID) | Champions | Ettore Messina |
| 2020–21 | 22–6 | Champions | Semifinals | Ettore Messina[112] |
| 2021–22 | 23–7 | Champions | Runners-up | Ettore Messina |
| 2022–23 | 23–7 | Champions | Quarterfinals | Ettore Messina[113] |
| 2023–24 | 22–8 | Champions | Semifinals | Ettore Messina[114] |
| 2024–25 | 20–10 | Semifinals | Runners-up | Ettore Messina |
| 2025–26** | 13–5 | Ongoing | N/A | Ettore Messina[115] |
European competition performance
Olimpia Milano first entered European competitions in 1958, competing in the inaugural FIBA European Champions Cup, marking the club's entry into continental basketball. Over the decades, the team established itself as one of Europe's elite clubs, securing three European Champions Cup titles in 1966, 1987, and 1988, as well as two FIBA Korać Cups in 1985 and 1993. These achievements highlight Milano's dominance in the pre-modern era, with the 1987 and 1988 triumphs coming under the Tracer sponsorship and featuring stars like Mike D'Antoni and Dino Meneghin.[1][116] With the advent of the modern EuroLeague in 2000, Olimpia Milano has been a consistent participant, appearing in nearly every season and reaching the playoffs multiple times, including the quarterfinals in 2010–11 and the Final Four in 2021. The club transitioned to the EuroLeague's current format, focusing on regular-season performance to qualify for postseason play, where top teams advance to quarterfinals and potentially the Final Four. Key milestones include three FIBA Saporta Cup titles in 1971, 1972, and 1976, underscoring the team's sustained competitiveness.[1][21] In recent years, Milano has navigated the expanded 18-team EuroLeague format, with the regular season determining direct playoff spots for the top six teams and play-in opportunities for seeds 7–10. The 2023–24 season saw the team finish 12th with a 15–19 record, missing the playoffs after close contests against teams like Fenerbahçe and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 2024–25 campaign resulted in a 17–17 regular-season mark, placing 10th and again falling short of postseason qualification despite strong showings against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. As of February 13, 2026, in the 2025–26 EuroLeague regular season, Olimpia Milano holds a 14–13 record after 27 games, averaging 85.6 points per game. Across their last 10 games (from January 15 to February 9, 2026), Olimpia Milano averaged 84.4 points per game, with points scored in these games: 96, 87, 77, 82, 74, 85, 81, 109, 77, 76. The team remains in contention for a playoff spot.[117][115]| Season | Competition | Stage Reached | Key Opponents/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958–59 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Preliminary round | Early exit; first participation. |
| 1965–66 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Champions | Defeated CSKA Moscow in final (from historical records). |
| 1984–85 | FIBA Korać Cup | Champions | Won title; key wins over Spanish and French clubs. |
| 1986–87 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Champions | Beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 71–69 in final.[116] |
| 1987–88 | FIBA European Champions Cup | Champions | Defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv in final. |
| 1992–93 | FIBA Korać Cup | Champions | Second Korać title. |
| 2000–01 | EuroLeague | Quarterfinals | Lost to Tau Cerámica. |
| 2004–05 | EuroLeague | Top 16 | Eliminated in group stage. |
| 2010–11 | EuroLeague | Quarterfinals | Lost series to Maccabi Tel Aviv. |
| 2020–21 | EuroLeague | Quarterfinals | Defeated by Anadolu Efes. |
| 2021–22 | EuroLeague | Playoffs | Lost to Bayern Munich. |
| 2023–24 | EuroLeague | Regular season (12th, 15–19) | Key losses to Fenerbahçe (77–76) and Maccabi Tel Aviv.[118][119] |
| 2024–25 | EuroLeague | Regular season (10th, 17–17) | Notable games vs. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.[104] |
| 2025–26 | EuroLeague | Regular season (ongoing, 14–13 after 27 games) | Averaging 85.6 points per game; recent win examples include strong offensive outputs.[117] |
