We can perceive the importance of basketball game in Mussini family from the moment we enter their house in Reggio Emilia; in every room there’s a trophy or a medal to mark the most important moments of the young career of the Italian player. In his bedroom the posters of Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade are the proof of his passion for the NBA and his desire to play across the ocean.
Mom Paola, former player and basketball fan, says that it was her to initiate her sons, Federico and Francesco to this sport at the age of 5.
“Federico was always a very shy kid except when he had a basketball in his hand”.
Also dad Carlo, lawyer is very proud of his wonder boy that despite his skinny complexion, with tenacity, perseverance and passion was able to reach his goal to play in the States.
“As a father is always difficult to accept that a 19years old son is leaving his family for a city so big and so far away but I’m very happy for him and that he can pursuit his dreams.”
The “Big Apple” was in the destiny of the Italian point guard that visited New York with his family for the first time in 2008 at the age of 12, attending a game at Madison Square Garden between the New York Nicks of Danilo Gallinari and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the superstar LeBron James. In the crowd was a very young Amedeo Della Valle who will play for an American College, Ohio State, and will become teammate of Federico for one year at Pallacanestro Reggiana.
The kid was astonished by the game and starts dreaming of returning in America for a bigger role.
The second time “Musso”(his Italian nick name) flew to the States was at the age of 16;it’s 2012 and he was invited to participate to the Jordan Brand Classis held in Charlotte North Carolina. He was among the top players of the game; his personal stats said 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assist and 2 steals. This tournament established in 2002 has seen the participation of players such as Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, LeBron James and Kevin Durant; from that moment on, the young kid starts receiving many offers from American colleges willing to recruit the Italian star.
The American call is becoming stronger every day; in fact in April of this year Federico is invited to the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland to represent the International selection (the only Italian player) vs team USA. In that game the talent from Reggio Emilia scored 9 points and dished out 3 assists contributing to the victory of his team.
During this trip together with his family he visited for the first time St.John’s campus in Queens N.Y. and met Christ Mullin his future coach.
“The States represent a dream for every basketball player, for us has been very hard let him go but he deserve it for all the passion and efforts shown on the way to reach this goal” say his Mom.
“ it’s not been easy to see my younger brother leave, but Federico is very happy, very excited for this new adventure” told Francesco who’s playing basketball in the local team La Torre. “Luckily he’s in a very nice city and I’m looking forward to visit him in November. Superstardom status being a member of the local basketball team combined with the fact of playing at Madison Square Garden represent such a level of fame and popularity very difficult to refuse for a kid that, when playing for Grissin Bon,an elite team of the Italian league was seldom stopped by fan outside the basketball arena.
Francesco Mussini majoring in sport management with the Italian Jersey of Federico
Federico’s first basketball hoop
The family remarks that the son’s decision was very much weighted; one of the main reason to choose America was that college season is shorter in comparison with Italian , starting in November and ending at the most at the beginning of April in case of reaching the NCAA tournament. In this way the athletes have more time to work on the body and build muscle. For Federico this aspect is very important in order for him to have a bigger impact on the game especially on the defensive side especially when playing against bigger and stronger opponents.
In St. John’s team, he will meet again the Italian assistant coach Luca Virgilio and his former friend Amar Alibegovic Red Storm sophomore; being trained by legend Chris Mullin member of the Barcelona 92 Olympics team represent an offer impossible to refuse.
Many home games of the Queens’ kids will be held at the Madison Square Garden while others at Carnesecca Arena inside college campus, with a capacity of 5.602 seats.
Mom Paola describe life inside the college” the Alumni wake up at 7.30 every day, than they do weight lifting followed by college lessons. The lunch is at every one will while in the afternoon basketball practice is scheduled. Dinner with the teammate is mandatory every night in order to build such a team spirit. Some lessons are held in the evenings from 7pm to 10 pm; the students have to study hard because in order to play for the college they have to be up to date with the exams.
Mussini’ family underline the main elements that leads Federico to achieve such important targets “ Great passion for the game, also on vacations he was always looking for a playground to play Basketball alone or with other kids” says Francesco.” He was lucky to have great coaches that were able to feed and stimulate his passion for the game. To grew up in Pallacanestro Reggiana, organization always very focus towards young athletes help him a lot” say his mother.
St. John’s profile
Name: Federico Mussini
Number: 4
Class:Freshman
Hometown: Reggio Emilia, Italy
High school: Liceo Scientifico Aldo Moro
Height: 6-1;
Weight: 155;
Position:Guard;
Favorite Athlete: Stephen Curry;
Favorite Movie: “Jurassic Park”
Favorite Cartoon: Tom and Jerry
Favorite ice cream: Chocolate
Favorite professional team:Golden State Warriors
