Fresno State Athletics
Blazing a Trail
1/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 16, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - Junior forward Andrea Bona has a dream. In fact, he has already achieved one of his goals - a feat that is one to be recognized. He is the first Italian player to ever receive a Division I basketball scholarship in the United States.
Bona grew up under the tutelage of his father, Ambrogio, who was captain of the Italian national rugby team and was inducted to the Hall of Fame. His friends always expected him to play rugby but he found the game of basketball to be most enjoyable for him.
At the age of 15, Bona took a train to northern Italy where he played for Club Cantu's basketball squad. Through competition Bona had the opportunity to polish his skills against some of the top players in the country at a very young age. He learned the fundamentals, techniques and basic strategies, but also picked up on some moves from the few foreign players. One American player suggested Bona had the ability to play against American players in the U.S.
Bona was immediately intrigued with the notion of playing ball across the Atlantic. So he packed his bags and took a flight to New Jersey where he participated in an elite basketball camp. For 10 days, Bona competed against the best youngsters from around the nation. With scouts and coaches looking on, the Italian was quickly singled out by a prep school near Albany, N.Y. called Redemption Christian Academy.
At the time, Bona was faced with the most important decision of his life. He had been offered a pro contract in Italy, where he could either return to his native country or accept a scholarship offer from the academy. Redemption, Bona believed, would be a great opportunity to begin his journey towards earning a college scholarship.
"My dream was to play college basketball in the U.S.," Bona said. "In Italy, the NCAA and the NBA are like dreams. Redemption gave me the opportunity to follow my dreams."
The expedition would not be easy, however. At Redemption Christian Academy, Bona said he sat the bench for three months and was struggling to fit in with the Americans. He went home for Christmas, contemplating whether or not he should return to the states. But Bona stuck with it and eventually found his niche.
"In those three months, I became a man," Bona said. "I could have quit, but I didn't. I began to understand the language better and I was able to communicate and make friends. Most importantly, I kept practicing hard, which got me a spot in the starting lineup."
The 6-foot-7 forward soon became a star. He had always been a shooter, however he learned to adapt to being more physical. He also learned how to defend taller, strong players, apparent in a contest against a team with a center named Dan Gadzuric, now playing at UCLA.
"I remember this one game in particular," Bona said. "We were playing a team with Gadzuric, who had been averaging 32 points a game. I was one of the tallest players on my team, so I had to guard him, and he was defending me. I remember him only scoring about 14 points and I kept him off the boards pretty well."
Now Bona is living a dream of playing Division I basketball. He said he knows of two other native Italians who are now competing in the highest college level. Ivan Gatto of Weber State is from Trevisco, Italy, and Tomas Ress of Texas A&M is if from Solorno and both are following in Bona's path.
"During the summer I always attend basketball camps in Italy," Bona said. "The young guys there are constantly asking me about basketball in America. I think it's good for them to know that people like myself are capable of playing here. It gives them confidence that they have an opportunity to play in the U.S."
Playing basketball at Fresno State is giving Bona many advantages. He will become a better all-around player because he will face a wide variety of athletes. In college basketball, there is a large population of bigger, stronger, quicker athletes than in any other country. Bona said he is meshing skills he developed in Italy with the style of basketball in the U.S., which will allow him to become a more balanced player.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to play here at Fresno State," Bona said. "I came from a situation in Italy where I was about to turn pro. I was playing 40 minutes a game and I would have made good money. But playing here is giving me more options, and it's giving me a shot to follow my dreams."
"Right now, though, I just want to focus on becoming a better player. That's what will give me the best opportunity to accomplish my dreams."
