TalkBasket reporters Jasmina Tatović and Paul Terrazzano Jr. had an amazing opportunity to interview founder and strategic lead at Pick-Roll, Dario Ferretti.
Dario discussed strategic thinking behind bringing Andrea Bargnani on board, how Pick-Roll is using technology to empower players and coaches, and a strong community.
Company Vision & Strategy
– What’s the origin story of Pick-Roll? How did the idea come about?
Pick-Roll was born from a very simple but powerful question: “Why is it so hard to find a basketball court or connect with other players?” I’ve played basketball my whole life, and I realized there was no digital space that truly reflected the culture, spontaneity, and community of the game we love. We started by mapping courts and letting people connect to play — but it quickly became clear this was about more than just finding a game. It was about building a global basketball culture, powered by technology and rooted in the local scene.
– With Bargnani on board, what are the immediate priorities for the company?
Andrea joining us as a shareholder and Global Brand Ambassador is a major milestone. His credibility, especially in Europe and the U.S., gives our mission a huge boost.In the short term, we’re focused on expanding our ambassador network, strengthening brand partnerships, and pushing into new markets. Andrea will play a key role in helping us tell our story to the basketball world — both on and off the court.
– Why is now the right time to push more into the U.S. market, and how will that expansion look in 2025?
The U.S. is the heart of basketball culture — and also a crowded space. But what’s missing, in our view, is a platform that puts community before content.In 2025, we’ll launch targeted campaigns in key U.S. cities with high basketball density and strong streetball scenes. We’re not just translating the app — we’re localizing the experience with ambassadors, tournaments, and stories that resonate on the ground.
Tech & Community
– What makes Pick-Roll different from other sports social platforms or basketball apps?
Most apps focus on stats, highlights, or fan engagement. We focus on people.Pick-Roll is built around real players, real courts, and real connections. Whether you’re a 13-year-old in Milan or a streetballer in NYC, our platform is about playing, not just watching. And everything we build is designed to amplify that — from finding courts and games to sharing stories and building your local basketball identity.
– How are you using technology to build a more connected, global community for hoopers?
We combine geolocation, smart notifications, and localized content to help players discover and engage with the game around them. But more than that, we use tech to surface culture — highlighting community events, underground heroes, and authentic stories that make each city unique.It’s about empowering users to feel seen and heard, wherever they are. And in 2025, we’ll roll out new features that make organizing games, building teams, and even creating content easier and more meaningful.
Business & Partnerships
– How are you approaching partnerships with brands, leagues, or cities?
We don’t believe in transactional partnerships. Our goal is to co-create value with brands and organizations that share our vision. For example, with cities, we’re exploring ways to digitally map public courts and organize grassroots events that bring people together. With leagues or brands, it’s about authenticity — whether that’s sponsoring local talent, supporting tournaments, or launching co-branded experiences that resonate with the community.
– What’s the long-term business model – do you see Pick-Roll as a lifestyle brand, a tech platform, or both?
Both. Pick-Roll is first and foremost a tech platform, but one that’s deeply rooted in basketball culture. That gives us a natural path to evolve into a lifestyle brand.We’re already seeing this in how users engage with the app — they’re not just finding games, they’re forming crews, sharing content, and building identities. Long-term, we want to be the go-to platform for anyone who lives and breathes the game — on the court, online, and everywhere in between.
