Category: Malta Basketball

Adrian Baldacchino Appointed Athleta Women’s Coach

Athleta Basketball Club announced the appointment of Adrian Baldacchino as the head coach of their women’s senior teams on Monday. 

This appointment marks a return to familiar grounds for Baldacchino, who has an extensive history with the club and who now returns to lead the Gzira side’s new women’s team.

Baldacchino’s career includes tenures with several notable clubs, such as Hibernians, Siggiewi, Athleta, and Depiro. He has consistently led teams to playoff finals and championships, demonstrating his tactical acumen and leadership skills. His most recent triumphs include winning the 2022-23 Men’s Amateur League Championship with Depiro and subsequently clinching the Women’s Knockout title after transitioning to the women’s section of the same club.

Currently, Baldacchino is representing Malta as part of the coaching team for the senior women’s national team in Kosovo. This international experience adds a valuable dimension to his coaching repertoire, equipping him with broader strategic insights and exposure to varied styles of play.

Athleta’s management expressed their excitement and optimism regarding Baldacchino’s return. They believe his wealth of experience and proven track record will be instrumental in revitalising the women’s senior teams and steering them to success in the Malta Basketball Association competitions. 

The club’s statement highlighted their confidence in Baldacchino’s ability to deliver positive results, citing his history of turning teams into formidable contenders.

“I am thrilled to be back at Athleta and to take on the challenge of leading the women’s senior teams,” Baldacchino said. 

“The club has always held a special place in my heart, and I am committed to bringing out the best in our players. Together, we aim to achieve great things and make a mark in the upcoming season.”

Baldacchino’s appointment as the head coach of Athleta’s women’s senior teams heralds a new chapter for the club as the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League’s sixth team this coming season.

Bonnici Selects Squad for FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries in Kosovo

Malta to play against hosts Kosovo, Georgia, and Cyprus in Group A

The excitement is building as Malta’s women’s national team, under the leadership of newly-appointed coach Charles Bonnici, prepares to compete in the FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries in Kosovo. This prestigious tournament will see Malta face off against formidable opponents in Group A: the host nation Kosovo, Georgia, and Cyprus.

Malta will kick off their campaign against Kosovo on Tuesday, June 25, at 20.30 in Pristina. The team will then face Georgia on Wednesday at 15:30, followed by their final group match against Cyprus on Thursday at 18:00. The semi-finals and classification matches are set for Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30.

This championship marks Bonnici’s first official games since he took the reins of the women’s national basketball team in January. Training began last month with small groups of players, gradually intensifying over the past four weeks. Bonnici has been impressed with the team’s dedication and hard work.

“The players are very dedicated, they give their all in training and I can’t ask for more,” Bonnici stated.

“The preparations are on track. We have worked on the tactical, technical, and physical aspects, and the players’ commitment has been flawless.”

Bonnici’s 12-strong squad for this challenging tournament is ready to take on some strong competitors, starting with their opening game against the hosts, Kosovo.

“Our first game is against Kosovo, the hosts,” Bonnici explained, “Georgia are also strong while we know the level of Cyprus from last year’s GSSE. Gathering information about our opponents is also a challenge but we are doing our utmost to prepare for this tournament in the best way possible.

“We know it’s going to be tough but we have to aim as high as possible… we hope to achieve a top-four finish. The first game is very important for us since it’s the top fixture against the home team on the opening day of the tournament. If we manage to win this game, it would enhance our morale as well as our chances of a top-four placing.”

Bonnici’s optimism and strategic planning are pivotal as the team gears up for these high-stakes matches. His confidence in the squad’s abilities and their preparation efforts are echoed in his selections.

Malta Women’s Squad

  • Sophie Abela (Depiro)
  • Claire Ciantar (Depiro)
  • Kristy Galea (Depiro)
  • Mikela Riolo (Starlites)
  • Maria Bonett (Starlites)
  • Stephanie De Martino (Starlites)
  • Michela Zammit Cordina (Starlites)
  • Ylenia Bonett (DBB LZ, Austria)
  • Marie Buhagiar (Hibernians)
  • Josephine Diaby (Luxol)
  • Danika Galea (Elite Roma, Italy)
  • Amber Melgoza (AE Sedis Basquet, Spain)
featured image for an article about the Malta National Team.

Fenech Selects Squad for FIBA European Championship for Small Countries 2024

Malta to face hosts Andorra, Gibraltar, and San Marino

The Malta men’s national team is gearing up for the 2024 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, set to take place in Andorra from June 25 to 30. This marks the first official games for Malta under the new head coach, Duncan Fenech, who took the reins in February.

In preparation for the tournament, Fenech has meticulously overseen the training of an initial squad of 18 players, recently narrowed down to the final 12. The team is set to depart for Andorra on Sunday, with high hopes for the championship.

Commenting on the build-up to the tournament, Fenech emphasized the importance of team unity and balance.

“The team’s preparations have been optimal. Our main focus was on achieving the right balance and a sense of unity within a group of players coming from different clubs, keeping in mind that they have not had many opportunities to play together over the past few months,” he said.

Fenech highlighted the reliance on local players for this tournament as a key consideration.

“We are relying mostly on local players for this tournament and that was another consideration we have taken into account in our preparations for this competition,” he noted.

The team has engaged in several friendly matches, demonstrating notable progress.

“We anticipated a tough start to these friendlies, but the team showed improvement from game to game. Overall, I’m satisfied with the progress of our preparations,” Fenech added.

Malta’s campaign in Group A will commence against Gibraltar on Tuesday, June 25 at 17:00hrs. They will then face San Marino on Wednesday at the same time, followed by their final group game against hosts Andorra on Thursday at 19:30hrs. The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, with the third-place game and the final set for Sunday.

We need to approach this challenge with the right mindset, knowing that we need to work very hard to win games and boost our chances of winning gold.

Duncan Fenech

Fenech stressed the importance of the right attitude and commitment from his players to achieve their goal of winning gold.

“In a way, it adds to the pressure since this is a short tournament where we will be playing against teams that are relatively not at the top of the bracket,” he explained, “We need to approach this challenge with the right mindset, knowing that we need to work very hard to win games and boost our chances of winning gold.”

The Malta Basketball Association expressed gratitude to Sport Malta for their continuous support, which has been instrumental in the team’s preparations.

MALTA SQUAD

  • Matthew Scerri, Ian Felice Pace, Alec Felice Pace, Kurt Xuereb (all Starlites)
  • Miguel Brincat (Depiro)
  • Nathan Xuereb (Luxol)
  • David Bugeja (Mellieha Libertas)
  • Neil Cassar (Valletta Fighters)
  • Kurt Cassar (NPC Rieti, Italy)
  • Sam Deguara (Taiwan Mustangs, Taiwan)
  • Michael Sjoberg (Monthey-Chablais, Switzerland)
  • Joshua Tomasi (Casey Cavaliers Cranbourne, Australia)

Roderick Vella Takes Helm as Luxol Women’s Coach

In a significant move that showcased Luxol Basketball Club‘s commitment to nurturing home-grown talent, Roderick Vella was appointed as the Senior Women’s Coach on Saturday. 

The appointment, announced by the club ahead of the new season means a promotion to the senior ranks as Santino Coppa’s replacement.

Vella’s appointment is not merely a routine promotion; it reflects his substantial contributions to Luxol’s female sector. Over the years, he has proven his mettle by clinching numerous titles with the U19, U16, and U14 girls’ teams. His ability to foster talent has been pivotal, with many of his protégés now shining in the senior team and junior national squads.

“I am honoured and excited to take on this new challenge,” Vella said in an official club statement. 

“Our club has a rich tradition of excellence, and I am committed to continuing this legacy with the senior women’s team.”

In his expanded role, Vella will not only oversee the Senior Women’s team but also guide the U23 and U19 Women’s teams. This broad scope of responsibility underscores the club’s confidence in his coaching acumen and vision for the future. His track record speaks volumes, and the expectation is that he will infuse the senior team with the same winning mentality and skill development he has instilled in his junior teams.

Luxol’s announcement also highlighted the strategic appointments of other key figures in their coaching staff. Luxol player Nathan Xuereb will take charge of the U16 Girls and U19 Luxol St. Andrew’s Women’s teams.

Meanwhile, Brendon Cassar Saguna has been assigned to lead the U12, U14, and U16 Luxol St. Andrew’s Girls’ teams.

The club’s strategic expansion of its nursery has also been a focal point of this announcement. With the ability to field two teams in both the U14 and U16 categories, as well as an additional team in the U19 Women’s league, Luxol is poised to solidify its presence and competitive edge in Maltese basketball.

Luxol Basketball Club expressed optimism about the future, stating, “Best of luck to coaches Roderick Vella, Nathan Xuereb, and Brendon Cassar Saguna as they embark on their new roles. We look forward to a successful season ahead!”

Sandro Farrugia Appointed Athleta Head Coach

Athleta AtoZ Basketball Club have announced the appointment of Sandro Farrugia as the Head Coach of their Men’s First Division Team. 

Farrugia brings a wealth of experience and a stellar track record, having been coaching for over 40 years.

Farrugia’s coaching career is marked by numerous successes. He has previously led several teams in the Women’s First Division League, securing various honours along the way. His expertise has not only been limited to club teams; he also played a significant role at the national level. As the head of the MBA Academy for junior girls and boys, Farrugia has shaped the careers of many young talents. His tenure as the National Coach for the Under 18 and Under 16 girls’ teams was particularly noteworthy, guiding Malta to win Silver and Bronze medals at the FIBA European Championships for Small Countries.

Moreover, Farrugia’s contribution to the Ladies National Team as an Assistant Coach over six years saw the team clinch three gold medals at the GSSE games and FIBA European Championships. Such achievements underscore his capability to inspire and lead teams to success on significant stages.

Athleta president Joe Galea expressed strong confidence in Farrugia’s appointment. 

“Sandro has the right qualities and necessary experience to lead Athleta AtoZ’s senior team towards a successful season,” Galea stated. 

He further emphasised Farrugia’s potential impact on the development of younger players within the squad, highlighting his role in nurturing future basketball talents.

Farrugia himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead one of Malta’s most storied basketball clubs. 

“I wish to thank the club for their confidence and trust. It is an honour to be coaching one of Malta’s most established and successful clubs,” Farrugia said.

As the club embarks on this new chapter, the Gzira-based club acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing head coach, Christos Kousidis. 

Under his guidance, the senior team had a commendable campaign last season, reaching the playoffs for the first time since a series of troubled seasons. 

Galea extended his gratitude to Kousidis, wishing him success in his future coaching endeavours overseas.

Malta bow out of FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup qualifiers after falling to favourites in knockout stages

Women’s national team secures semifinal finish, men end campaign in quarterfinals

Malta’s women’s 3×3 national team levelled their previous best finish in the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup qualifiers as they bowed out after a loss to tournament favourites Azerbaijan in the semifinals on Sunday.

The 15-10 defeat came after a tough 21-15 loss to Luxembourg in the final Pool A fixture and a stunning 17-13 victory against Ireland later in the day.

Meanwhile, Malta’s men’s 3×3 national team ended their FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers campaign with a historic win against Luxembourg and defeat to Cyprus in the quarterfinals.

In a fixture originally listed for Saturday evening, Malta and Luxembourg’s women’s teams were both looking for their first win in the tournament. While it was Luxembourg’s opening game of the weekend, Malta had already lost to Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Malta suffers close defeats in FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup qualifying openers

In spite of a brave showing, Malta had to settle for a second-straight defeat as Luxembourg proved to be the stronger side and leapfrogged the Maltese into a guaranteed two-pool finish.

In the quarterfinals, Malta were pitted against Pool B runners-up Ireland. 

The Irish kickstarted the scoring with an and-one before a Kristy Galea long-ranger to tie things up. This parity lasted just a few seconds as Ireland pushed back up to cause a four-point separation before Sophie Abela and Steffi De Martino bagged Malta’s next points.

De Martino was again up for the task from deep to level terms before Danika Galea switched leads with 4.19 to go. This was the spark Malta needed as they continued to surge ahead and progressed into the semifinals.

Against Azerbaijan, Malta faced a tough replay from day one. Sophie Abela hit from the line to open Malta’s scoring before De Martino hit from deep to tie the game after a quick Azeri start.

Azerbaijan surged forward with several long-distance efforts and they benefited from wasted opportunities from the Malta offence, but De Martino and Danika Galea combined to keep the game at just a three-point difference.

Nevertheless, Azerbaijan settled the game with another two points for a five-point victory and a ticket to the final.

A team photo of the Malta's 3x3 men's national team.
Malta’s 3×3 men’s national team in Kosovo.

Men’s quarterfinal finish

In the men’s competition, Malta celebrated their first victory in the 3×3 competition when they beat Luxembourg in the final Pool A game on Sunday.

In the morning fixture, also delayed after rain on Saturday, Luxembourg got things going with an immediate two-pointer before Matthew Scerri bagged Malta’s opener with a close-range layup.

Despite the early Luxembourg lead, Malta turned things around a minute and a half into proceedings. 

Similarly to the clash against Ireland, Malta began to play more consistently while Luxembourg played a more physical game. In turn, Malta held a four-point lead midway through the game.

Luxembourg looked lost as Malta continued to power through and took a 15-11 win which guaranteed them a place in the final round.

In the quarterfinals, a few hours later, Malta faced a much more technical side and were made to pay as the more experienced Cypriots progressed to the semifinals with a 21-11 finish.

Cyprus kickstarted proceedings with a layup before Ian Felice Pace hit one of two freethrows and Matthew Scerri levelled the game with a two-pointer.

Scores from Louie Farrugia and Neil Cassar created a Malta gap but Cyprus brought the game to parity five minutes in. 

With their newfound momentum after three straight two-balls, the Cypriots gained a sizeable lead, and eventually the win as Cyprus splashed in a condemning long-ranger to reach the scoring limit.

Malta suffers close defeats in FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup qualifying openers

To play Luxembourg on Sunday after rain postponement

Malta’s men and women suffered close defeats on Saturday as they tried their luck in Prishtina, Kosovo for a place in this summer’s FIBA 3X3 Europe Cup. 

The men’s team, listed as the eighth seed in the competition, started their Pool A campaign with the toughest of clashes, against top seed Ireland. However, this did not stop the quartet of Matthew Scerri, Ian Felice Pace, Neil Cassar and Louie Farrugia from issuing a strong statement. 

Against Ireland, Scerri was in fact, the game’s top scorer with 11 points after four long-rangers and three freethrows. Despite this, it was a close Irish 18-17 victory by the final buzzer.

While Malta looked strongest in the opening minutes of their opening fixture, Ireland settled in and it was a case of foul trouble that evened things out. Luck was with the Irish in the final seconds of the encounter however as a missed Felice Pace effort with the sides level gave Matthew Spencer Treacy the chance for one last score in the last second. 

Malta fell to a 17-13 loss against Andorra in their second fixture.

Unlike their opener, Malta struggled to get things going and it was a Farrugia layup five minutes into the game that became Malta’s first point as Andorra shot ahead. The age gap between the two sides began to prove costly as the experienced Andorra players looked in control while Malta’s youngsters chased the deficit. 

Two straight Felice Pace two-pointers brought Malta closer to the surface with less than two minutes to go but two long rangers from Andorra settled things to hand Malta their second defeat of the day.

Women’s competition

In the women’s competition, Malta only had the opportunity to play their opening game, a 17-14 loss to tournament favourites Azerbaijan.

Looking to push past their previous high – a semifinal appearance in Cyprus – Malta sent a strong lineup with Steffi De Martino leading the pack which also featured Kristy Galea, Sophie Abela and Danika Galea.

On Saturday, Danika Galea fired first as it became a battle between the Malta youngster and Azerbaijan’s Mercedes Walker. 

Even though the Azeris entered the tournament as the top seed, eighth-seed Malta remained as close as ever throughout proceedings.

The two sides were level with just under three minutes to go. However, Azerbaijan rallied in the final moments for a three-point victory.

With the team set for their second game of the day, another tough contest against Luxembourg, a rain delay first postponed play for 30 minutes, before the organisers shifted the tournament’s final contests to Sunday morning.

Malta faces Luxembourg in both the men’s and women’s Europe Cup qualifiers on Sunday with only a win on their minds, especially since only the top three from each Pool progress to the next round. 

Coppa celebrates ‘fantastic success’ after ending farewell tour with women’s double

At the end of the 2023-24 MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League regular season, not many would have placed their bets on Caffe Moak Luxol winning the title after the Violets finished third in the standings below Depiro and Starlites JSD. However, it was the Pembroke-based side who were crowned champions on the final day of the season after a Game Five victory, and coach Santino Coppa believes it was a fantastic success.

“When I am losing 2-0, I keep on believing and I transmit this to my players – my two experienced players Mandi (Mercieca) and Jo (Diaby) helped me a lot to transmit this thing to the young players,” Coppa said.

“This is a fantastic success because it was against a strong, and expensive team.

“After 2-0, nobody believed in this team… nobody. But I always transmit positivity and (the players) always give everything for me.”

While last season’s champions Starlites had held control over the top spot for the majority of the season, Depiro leveraged momentum coming off their Knock Out triumph in March against John Tabone Shield winners Luxol to surge ahead in the last few game-days of the regular season, securing a direct spot in the playoff finals.

A sweep against Starlites in the semifinals meant the Knockout finalists would meet again to close off the season with what would become a fairytale ending for Coppa and his team.

Depiro, arguably the team that had invested the most over the summer for this campaign, looked most likely to lift the trophy again after two games. However, Luxol avoided the sweep with basketball they had not shown in the previous fixtures, shocking the Mtarfa side into defeat. But when the series reached parity on Game 4, the pressure was completely on Depiro as it seemed Luxol had a point to prove.

Fenech Pace wins Finals MVP award

Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Anna Fenech Pace believes the team deserved the victory.

“It’s so crazy! We really worked hard and we really deserve it as a team,” Fenech Pace said.

“We’ve been through everything together and so it’s just amazing. We came back – we lost two games and won three so everyone’s just over the moon.”

Asked about how it felt for her to be on the court in such an intense series and be awarded MVP, the Malta youth international was lost for words.

“(It was) so stressful – It was so nerve-wracking and everything, but I feel like with the teammates I have, everyone is always encouraging each other and it’s just such a great team to be part of that you enjoy playing these games,” she admitted.

“I’m shocked (about the MVP award). I don’t really know what to say – Thank you.”

‘Thank you, Malta’

Having been around Maltese basketball since the beginning of the millennium, Italian coach Coppa holds a phenomenal standing among the community due to him first being women’s National Team coach for many years, before joining Luxol as their women’s head coach, a role he has occupied until this season.

However, it seems this run will come to an end this summer as Coppa is set to return to Italy.

“For me, this success is very important because it’s the last one here in Malta as I will be going back to Italy,” he confirmed.

“These last three seasons with Luxol, Edgar (Caruana Montaldo) the president, Eric Fenech Pace have helped me a lot because it is a very difficult job so I say thank you to them and Roderick (Vella) who is the youth coach because he prepared and helped me in my job for this success.

“I say thank you to the Association because I know everybody, and I cherish my experiences in Malta. I began in 2002 with the national team and I continued with Luxol. This is a success that for me is fantastic because it was with two veteran players, one American, and the others who are young.

“The American (Tayler Bennett) improved day after day because she is a good person and she stayed with me, listened to me and worked with me in the morning to improve.

The Italian also showed appreciation for the community as “everybody is my friend and I’m friends with the island and with its people”.

Discussing his next steps, Coppa said he had received two offers from Italy but had made a gentleman’s agreement with the Violets to stay on for this past season. However, he explained that his time as a basketball coach in Malta was over.

“Next for me is that I go back home. In this season, I had another two offers from Italy’s First Division, but I was the coach of Luxol. I didn’t have a contract – only a handshake with the president and I finished my job. Now I don’t know. I have other options but that’s not important – the important thing is that after finishing my experience, I am happy, and I am satisfied.

“Tomorrow is another day but today, I want to stay here and enjoy it. This is a fantastic island and I’ll come to Malta always for my holiday. But for basketball, that’s finished.”

Ferrante lauds Starlites system after winning quadruple

Finals MVP Craven credits team’s leadership for success

Before the 2023-24 season began, Malta Division One champions Starlites JSD were undoubtedly the team with a target on its back after winning two consecutive championship titles. The Malta Basketball Association (MBA) had just introduced its new regulation which allowed foreigners to play as locals after three years of residing in Malta, bringing with it fresh possibilities for clubs to battle for supremacy.

At the end of the season, however, it was the only club without these local foreigners which triumphed as Starlites lifted all four domestic trophies and serial-winner coach Paul Ferrante said it was finally time for a break.

“The first thing that comes to mind right now is that I’m finally going to take a break,” Ferrante said.

“These past two or three weeks, we’ve been at it every day – I think yesterday was our first off-day – from game-film and other things. Game-film has to be prepared as well so, usually, one day is never enough. But it’s a great thing.”

“Every year, we’ve changed our foreign players, but we’ve always managed to bring in new import players who possess a good level and can play well with the rest of the team”

Starlites coach Paul Ferrante

Winning the title three times in a row is already an achievement for any coach, but winning every competition that Maltese Basketball had to offer across eight months is a target not many deem realistic. For the Starlites mentor, such an accolade was previously his career’s end goal but he now believes he’s changed his mind.

“I’ve always said that if I win all four trophies in one season, I would retire,” Ferrante joked, “but I don’t think that will be the case as this is the third-straight league title win against Mellieha – all with a 3-0 scoreline – and 2-0 in the semifinals, so I believe we’re doing something right.”

Asked about the crop of players he had at his disposal during this streak of title-winning seasons, the Starlites coach said that even though the team’s import players changed every year, the club’s system and high-level foreigners continuously provided tools for a successful nucleus.

“Every year, we’ve changed our foreign players, but we’ve always managed to bring in new import players who possess a good level and can play well with the rest of the team,” he explained.

“We’ve got a group of players who have risen from the nursery and stayed together. In fact, our Under-23s have won the league three times in a row as well. We always get a player or two who makes it to the senior team but generally, all of them manage to play with our system.

“I wish I could keep a few of the foreign players from one season to another, but to keep them for a second year, unfortunately, their agents always ask for more money. Our foundation has always been building around players from our nursery, and giving them the skills to compete.”

While the rest of the Division One clubs have all utilised the local-foreigner regulation, the closest to that in Starlites’ case was Maltese-Australian guard Matt Attard, a sharpshooting three-point scorer who joined the club the previous season.

Ferrante believes the new regulation has made the league much more difficult but lauded his team’s squad depth.

“The regulation about local foreigners has made the league much tougher – this season was not easy at all,” he remarked.

“Mellieha had Vule (Jandric) and (Corrado) Mercurio playing as locals plus they had David Bugeja who is the Malta captain, so they were not a soft team at all and they showed it especially in Game 1 and 3 when they gave us a good run for our money. I think we had more leeway for our rotation with more fresh legs which helped our case.”

Craven wins Finals MVP award

Last summer’s transfer period can be considered shaky for the three-time league winners with Canadian forward Stephane Ingo leaving the team before the start of the season and his replacement – Malik Lorquet- doing the same right after the John Tabone Shield. Kurt James was eventually brought in as the team’s third import player of the season.

The team’s first summer signing however, Davonte Craven, proved to be just what they needed as together with fellow US forwards Christian Hinckson and James, the trio finished as Starlites’ top scorers of the season. Craven was eventually voted Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) by the press across the three games against Mellieha.

Craven said he wasn’t expecting it but showed enthusiasm after his hard work throughout the season.

“I was surprised! I just wanted to win the game, you could have given this to any one of my teammates and I would have been just as happy but I’m happy for myself, I worked really hard for it,” he said.

Asked for his thoughts about winning the championship, Craven said it was an expectation Ferrante had set for the players and that they had all delivered.

“I’m just happy! We worked so hard for this all year,” the former Rust College Bearcats forward said.

“Before I got here, Coach told me what he expected. He had won the championship twice in a row and he expected nothing different, so we went out and did that. So many people worked so hard every day, and our great friends came to every game, it’s exciting and so good to see.

“(We had to) keep our composure, we had great leaders like Alec (Felice Pace), KJ (James), Chris (Hinckson), Matt (Scerri) who made sure we don’t stay down no matter what the difference is. We’ve seen something like that before, so we knew how to face adversity and just came out and finished the job.

“It was really up to our leaders, they made sure to keep everybody in check and without them we wouldn’t be here.”

Malta centre Galea set for NCAA move after committing to University of Arkansas

Second international move for Galea after Elite Roma stint

Malta international centre Danika Galea has secured her next move in a basketball career with the potential for high-level success after committing to the University of Arkansas in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division 1.

The move comes after the 6’3 centre committed to the Razorbacks, with an announcement from her representatives being made on Wednesday.

“We have commitment – Our class of 2024 Danika Galea from Malta has committed to University of Arkansas. Congrats @dan_galea. Keep working hard,” a statement on the agency’s socials read.

Last Summer’s FIBA Under-18 Division C winner and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Galea has shone for several years, both locally at Depiro and most recently in Italy at Elite Basket Roma and will now be heading to the top division of women’s collegiate basketball in the US to compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on a sports scholarship.

Last August, Galea led Malta’s U-18s to a gold medal in Albania with a terrific showing which earned her the highest honour of the tournament as well as a place in the tournament’s all-star five. The 18-year-old finished as the competition’s top scorer with an average of 29 points per game and was a class above the rest on the boards with 19 rebounds a game.

A photo of Danika Galea after the FIBA U18 Division C tournament.
Danika Galea won the FIBA U-18 Division C tournament MVP award last summer. Photo: FIBA

The Malta starlet did all this after a successful first season in Rome which led to her earning another season overseas as preparation for this move over the Atlantic to Fayetteville, Arkansas when the next semester begins following her involvement with the Malta women’s national team this summer.

This will be Galea’s third involvement with the senior national team after being part of Angela Adamoli’s roster for the FIBA Small Countries Games which saw Malta take bronze ahead of her move to Italy, and last May for the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE 2023) where Malta finished in fourth place. 

With another season of overseas basketball under her belt, she is set for another round under new Malta coach Charles Bonnici, who was appointed Adamoli’s replacement earlier this year.

Such an addition will surely be a boost for the side which can balance out rotation in the centre position with Luxol stalwart Josephine Diaby previously being the main performer in that role. 

Galea follows fellow women’s national team players Kristy Galea and Sophie Abela who both played in the US at the collegiate level.