The official presentation of Napoli Basketball's new season took place this morning in Palazzo San Giacomo. The upcoming campaign marks the club's return to European competition after twenty years, while also celebrating the start of the Napoli Women Basketball project, which will compete in Italy's Serie A2.
This represents a major milestone in the growth of basketball in Naples, fitting into the city's broader strategic vision as European Capital of Sport and looking ahead to major international events, including the 2027 America's Cup. The new season promises to be one of the club's most ambitious in decades, combining top-level competition in Serie A and the EuroCup with a strong commitment to youth development and the growth of women's basketball across the city.
Attending the event were the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, Councillor for Sport Emanuela Ferrante, Napoli Basketball President Matt Rizzetta, General Manager James Laughlin, Sporting Director Francesco Cavaliere, and Women's Basketball General Manager Sara Bocchetti.
Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples: "Having a basketball team competing in European competitions is a great achievement for Naples. It is a source of immense pride for our city, and as an administration we will fully support this journey.
I have also been following Napoli Basket's recruitment campaign closely. President Rizzetta has outlined the club's strategy to me, and I believe we will have a highly competitive team.
The club also intends to present a redevelopment project for the PalaArgento arena, an initiative we welcome enthusiastically. At the same time, work continues on the project planned for the Centro Direzionale. We are finally seeing significant investments in sports infrastructure backed by private capital."
Emanuela Ferrante, Councillor for Sport and Equal Opportunities: "At long last, Naples will have a women's basketball team. We have worked hard to make this milestone a reality, and today we celebrate it by honoring the women who have distinguished themselves through their achievements in basketball. This exciting development comes alongside another major accomplishment: Napoli Basket's return to the EuroCup. Thanks to the planned improvements at the PalaBarbuto arena, we will make the venue even more welcoming for both Neapolitan fans and supporters travelling from across Europe. We also hope to see the restoration of the PalaArgento become a reality, with President Rizzetta's project helping return the arena to its former glory."
Matt Rizzetta, President of Napoli Basketball: "Thank you all. Your support means a great deal to me. I'd like to thank Coach Repesa, as well as the City of Naples, Mayor Manfredi and Councillor Ferrante. Together, we share ambitious plans that go far beyond the basketball court. The people of Naples deserve to compete on the biggest stages. Today we are also unveiling our women's basketball project, something I have always considered essential, not only from a sporting perspective but also from a social one. I'd like to thank Sara Bocchetti for believing in this vision from the very beginning. As for the men's team, we are building a roster that reflects our ambitions. We want players who are willing to fight for this jersey. I learned a great deal during my first year in Naples. I don't want to make bold promises—I can only say that we will work around the clock to achieve our objectives. Everyone within the organization is fully aligned, and we will do everything possible to succeed. I'm also pleased to welcome our partner and friend Rino Manna, owner of the Teatro Tenda Partenope. Together with the Mayor, we will soon present our plans for the construction of a new arena. We have identified the former Mario Argento site both as a temporary venue and as the location where the new sports infrastructure will be developed. We have the determination and commitment to bring this project to life. An exciting and ambitious season lies ahead. My only appeal is that we all stay united and continue to build one family. Great sacrifices will be required, but I am convinced we can achieve all of our goals."
James Laughlin, General Manager of Napoli Basketball: "Thank you all for being here. It's wonderful to see so many people who love this sport. I'd like to thank the Mayor, President Rizzetta and Underdog Global Partners for their support and vision. The club is making significant strides in every area, including the women's program, and I am grateful to be part of this journey. We are signing high-level players. Our ambition extends beyond Italy—we want to establish ourselves across Europe. We're looking for players with significant experience, including at the EuroLeague level, to help us move closer to our objectives."
Francesco Cavaliere, Sporting Director of Napoli Basketball: "As a Neapolitan, I am incredibly proud to be here today. I'm thrilled to be part of this club and can't wait for the new season to begin. We want our team to embody the values that represent Naples, and we will do everything we can to make the city proud through our performances. The league schedule has just been released, and opening the season away to Rome will certainly be an exciting challenge."
Sara Bocchetti, General Manager of Napoli Women Basketball: "This project is truly special for us, and I am delighted to be back in Naples. This city holds a special place in my heart—I'm Neapolitan, and this is where everything began for me. I've gained managerial experience in several roles, including the Winter Olympic Games, and the key word for this project will be building. We want to create a modern and sustainable club that looks beyond Sunday's result. Our ambition is to reach the highest level over time. Youth development will also be a major priority. From this very season we will launch our own academy, with the goal of developing not only basketball players but outstanding people. We will also work closely with schools to strengthen the community's sense of belonging. The future of Napoli Women Basketball begins today."
Jasmine Repesa, Coach of Napoli Basketball: "My greetings to everyone here today, and above all to all of our supporters. I'd like to thank the entire organization, starting with President Rizzetta, for the support and the resources made available to build a highly competitive team. We are putting the finishing touches on the roster and are confident we will find the right people and the right players. We will hold our preseason training camp in Slovenia to develop our playing system and build the chemistry needed to become a true team from day one. Our goal is to be fully prepared for the start of both the Serie A season and the EuroCup. See you all soon."