00 Ariel Filloy G 1.90 00 Hollis Price G 1.86 5 Alex Acker G 1.96 6 Stefano Mancinelli F 2.03 7 Mike Hall F 2.03 8 Jonas Maciulis F 1.98 9 Marco Mordente G 1.92 10 Morris Finley G 1.80 11 Massimo Bulleri G 1.99 12 Mason Rocca F 2.04 15 Marijonas Petravicius C 2.09 19 Joey Beard C 2.10 20 Jeff Viggiano F 1.94 Head Coach: Piero Bucchi

One of the classic clubs in European basketball history, Armani Jeans Milano, enters its fourth consecutive Euroleague season with a fully upgraded roster and every intention of putting its name back among the very biggest on the continent. Milano, a three-time continental champion - in 1966, 1987 and 1988 - has reinvigorated its deep tradition in recent years in a steady, step-by-step fashion that promises great things in the near future. Last season, by making a fortress of its home court, even against the most dangerous of visitors, Milano survived the Euroleague regular season for the first time in 12 years. In the Top 16, the team upped its streak to seven wins in eight games before falling short of a playoff spot. With a steady sponsor and an improved Euroleague performance, AJ Milano moved well in the off-season market to land some of the best free agents available, such as point guard Morris Finley, experienced small forward Stefano Mancinelli, swingman Alex Acker, young veteran Jonas Maciulis, shooter Jeff Viggiano and big man Marijonas Petravicius, last season's Eurocup Final Eight MVP. With new players at virtually every position, head coach Piero Bucchi will have plenty of options to choose from, especially considering that the lineup already boasts experienced holdovers like Hollis Price, Mike Hall, Marco Mordente, Mason Rocca and Massimo Bulleri. All will be needed, of course, to compete right away in tough regular season group, but expect Milano to battle for a trip back to the Top 16, and beyond.



Few Euroleague teams are as deep as Milano in ballhandlers, with as many as five players able to run the point successfully. Finley arrives to become the team's floor general after having reached the Euroleague playoffs last season with Montepaschi Siena. With that experience, Finley will be called upon to show his leadership to command the full array of Milano's considerable talents. The veteran Bulleri returns to Milano to offer experience, scoring skills and know-how off the bench. Meanwhile, after joining Milano in the middle of last season, Price could see most of his minutes at off-guard to take advantage of his unlimited range and talent as a second passer. Price thrives in open-court situations and suits Coach Bucchi's up-tempo philosophy perfectly. Acker, once a top-ten Euroleague scorer and top-20 rebounder, will be a first option on the perimeter and the choice to guard opposing stars. Viggiano will be counted on to keep defenses honest from the perimeter, much like the veteran Mordente is a consistent shooting threat when called upon. Mancinelli and Maciulis are set to split minutes at small forward. Mancinelli is a left-handed, tall forward with good driving skills, a do-it-all versatility and toughness. Maciulis, nicknamed "The Bull" back home in Lithuania, is an explosive swingman who at age 24 has already played five Euroleague season. He can run, shoot or bang as Milano’s necessities call for him to do.

When Milano chooses to play fast, Hall will be a major option again at the swing forward position, thanks to his athleticism, deep range and character. In his debut Euroleague season, Hall showed some outstanding individual performances that, with some consistency, could make him into a constant, serious threat. All eyes in the middle will be on Petravicius, a solid center with few weaknesses whose late-blooming career just keeps improving. Always disciplined and ready, Petravicius is a good mid-range shooter but his low-post game and pick-and-roll expertise make him truly dangerous. At Milano, he plans to confirm his status as one of the best centers in European basketball right now. His backup will be Mason Rocca, the team's top returning rebounder and a one-of-a-kind fighter. Rocca is a fan favorite for giving no less than 110% effort and an effective player around the baskets, especially with his trademark jump hook. Another veteran big man, Joey Beard, is set to offer defense, rebounds and intensity off the bench. With its brand new backcourt and major additions like Petravicius, Acker, Finley and Maciulis, Milano must consolidate its status as a Top 16 team and then find the right chemistry to go even higher.

Jonas Maciulis, swingman Fast and ambitious, talented and intense, Jonas Maciulis has the complete package and preparation to help lift Armani Jeans Milano to another level in the near future. A young veteran at age 24, Maciulis chose Armani Jeans Milano as his first stop outside Lithuania and the place to start his fifth full Euroleague season in an already-accomplished career. Born in Kaunas and raised at Zalgiris, Maciulis is a little bit different from your average Lithuanian superstar. Besides shooting well, Maciulis is an outstanding slasher, who uses power, strength and quickness to blow by defenders. This is why Zalgiris fans nicknamed him "The Bull". Often seen as a streak shooter, Maciulis made the sixth-most shots from downtown in the last Euroleague regular season. His passion, fighting spirit and feel for the game make him a never-say-die defensive player, too, one who collects plenty steals due to his superb defensive positioning. He also improved his ballhandling in the last couple of the years, helping him to quickly race downcourt when grabbing defensive rebounds, which he does at a high rate for a perimeter player. Maciulis uses his strength and speed to match up with players bigger than him, but can also swing to shooting guard to take advantage of his size and skills. Above all, Maciulis never gives up and is always productive, making him a great fit for Milano. His long Euroleague experience is also a plus, as Maciulis knows what it takes to beat all the big teams in the competition and how tough it is to battle for each and every single win. If he improves his shooting selection and passing skills, Maciulis will be very difficult to stop. While his new fans in Milan will certainly enjoy a fun-to-watch player, this force of nature heading into the prime of his career could prove the key to an ambitious club's high aspirations for success.