TalkBasket reporters Jasmina Tatović and Paul Terrazzano Jr. had the opportunity to interview Andrea Bargnani following his recent involvement with Pick-Roll. Andrea opened about what motivated him to join the project, the early influences that shaped his career and how his basketball journey helped with his strategic vision today. As a player who’s who witnessed global evolution of basketball, Bargnani brings unique perspective to Pick-Roll’s mission of connecting talent, technology and training all over the world.
Personal Involvement & Motivation
– What attracted you to Pick-Roll, and why now?
What initially attracted me the most was definitely the fact that the Pick-Roll app meets the most basic need of any basketball player… which is finding a playground to play basketball! And since there are millions of basketball enthusiasts around the world, I immediately saw great scalability potential in the app.
– As someone who’s played at the highest level of professional basketball, how do you see a platform like Pick-Roll shaping the future of the sport at a grassroots level?
I believe an app like Pick-Roll is extremely relevant and aligns perfectly with major themes like sustainability, physical well-being, integration, and equality—these are also the ESG objectives we promote through our business. Pick-Roll is evolving into a sort of multimedia playground where communities of all kinds can form and interact with each other through the language of sport.
– You’ve transitioned from athlete to entrepreneur—what’s been the most exciting (or challenging) part of that journey?
Just like in professional sports, in business there are tasks you enjoy less and others you can’t wait to do. As it happened in basketball, where certain types of training were boring but you couldn’t wait for the game or for drills you particularly liked. What both worlds have in common, at least from my perspective, is definitely the fact that both require preparation and sacrifice to even try to succeed.
Early Influences & International Growth
– What was your experience like playing at different courts growing up? Did it influence you to partner with Pick-Roll?
As a kid I often played in many playgrounds between Milan and Rome, and that definitely helped fuel my passion for basketball—which eventually turned into an NBA career. So the idea that today a young person can fall in love with basketball thanks to our app is definitely appealing.
– Did you find it coincidental that you faced your eventual NBA team the Toronto Raptors in 2004 during preseason with Benetton Treviso?
Yes, looking back, it was an incredible coincidence. I remember everything about that night — it was such an emotional experience to play against a real NBA team, and in an actual NBA arena. I thought we’d lose by 100 points, but instead we held our own right until the end! That strong performance of mine definitely had an impact on what happened later in my career.
– You were a part of the 2004 Nike Hoop Summit—what do you remember about that event? Was that another experience that helped you gain more attention?
Yes, of course I remember—it was an incredible experience. It was my first time in the U.S. and the first time I got to attend an NBA game (the San Antonio Spurs with Ginobili, who had just left Italy). It was a life-changing experience. Ever since I saw the world of basketball across the ocean, I thought about it every day—it gave me incredible motivation to make it there. The game itself was a bloodbath though—Team USA crushed us!
– Pick-Roll has a lot to do with basketball on an international scale. Did you feel a responsibility to grow the game in Italy when you became the first (and only) Italian #1 NBA draft pick in 2006? – FIBA does a great job with 3-on-3 basketball. How much do you think the outdoor/half-court setting can help players grow?
We have a much more international vision, which certainly doesn’t neglect Italy, but we are aware that our main markets are and will be elsewhere if we want to keep succeeding. I really like what FIBA is doing with 3×3. I’m a friend and admirer of Garbajosa, and I’m sure he’ll continue to do a great job for FIBA in Europe—which is definitely exciting.
Strategic Vision
– How do you envision your role as a global brand ambassador and shareholder shaping Pick-Roll’s presence internationally, especially in the U.S.?
I have an active role in Pick-Roll on several levels, so I’m ready to support the company wherever needed—starting with being a brand ambassador, which allows me to give more credibility to the project in Italy and internationally, especially given my long NBA career.
– You have deep roots in both European and North American basketball cultures—how do you plan to bridge those worlds through Pick-Roll?
I want to use my image and my network not only in the markets you mentioned, but also in countries where I never played but where both I and Pick-Roll are well known. For example, the Philippines—where there are millions of basketball fans.
– Basketball Beyond the NBA Street and amateur basketball are booming globally. What do you think is driving that growth, and how can technology elevate the experience? What’s your personal connection to streetball culture—did it influence your development as a player?
I believe it all still starts with the NBA—with their efficient sport-business model and their continued global expansion. They lay the groundwork and pave the way for the entire world of basketball to keep growing. I’m an NBA ambassador, so I can only hope this expansion continues at this pace—and why not, maybe basketball will become the number one sport in the world someday. That would be amazing!
