Tag: andrew aquilina

Starlites announce Andrew Aquilina signing

A few weeks after Malta Basketball’s report that former Depiro captain Andrew Aquilina was leaving the Mtarfa club to join Starlites, the Malta champions made this news official with an announcement on Saturday.

“We are pleased to announce that Andrew Aquilina has joined the Starlites community for the upcoming season!” A Starlites statement read. 

“Andrew has been playing in the Maltese Senior league since a very young age and his experience and leadership will give a great boost to our VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar Men squad this year.”

Earlier in July, Starlites coach Paul Ferrante had hinted that the club had found a local guard to help cover for the loss of captain Alec Felice Pace and fellow guard Matt Attard with sources telling Malta Basketball it was to be Aquilina.

The veteran got his release from Depiro over the summer, leaving the club after over a combined decade.

Now he joins Starlites at a crucial time when the Naxxar-based club prepares for its debut in FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers in September. 

Speaking to the club’s socials, Aquilina said he wanted to contribute to the club’s ongoing development.

Depiro’s Aquilina set for Division One switch

“I’m happy to be a part of this amazing bunch of individuals who are renowned for their dedication to quality and great work ethic,” Aquilina told the club’s socials.

“Incorporating some of my experience into the squad will allow me to hopefully contribute to the club’s ongoing development of its rich recent history. I think that by working together, we can contend for every title this season and accomplish something exceptional.”

Said takes over assistant coach role

Meanwhile, Starlites announced further updates, promoting youth coach Omar Said to the Under-19 and Division 2 men’s teams headcoach while giving him a spot beside senior headcoach Ferrante as his assistant in the first division and Under-23s.

“Former U16 Boys Head Coach Omar Said will take on the new role of Assistant Coach on our Senior Men’s team and U23 Men’s team,” a club statement read. 

“In addition, he will also be Head Coach for the U19 Men and 2nd Division Men squads. We believe his vast expertise in the local and international scenes will prove fruitful in the development of our young athletes as well as our VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar Senior squad for the upcoming season.”

In a comment to the club’s socials, Said, who was in charge of Malta’s Under-16 boys’ team at this summer’s FIBA Eurobasket Division C, said he felt fortunate to be handed this opportunity.

“This is a great opportunity with the EuroCup coming up for Starlites Basketball club and I am very fortunate and grateful to be given the opportunity to be part of the coaching staff and assist a very respected coach like Paul (Ferrante),” he said. 

“I am sure that I will learn a lot and grow in my very young senior coaching career. Over and above this I hope that I will be able to give the players my experience from my past playing career on and off the court. Already in the first week of training, I am enjoying my time with the players and hopefully help them prepare well for the interesting upcoming season.”

Depiro’s Aquilina set for Division One switch

After over a combined decade at the club, Depiro captain Andrew Aquilina will be suiting up for a different BOV Division One team this coming season after getting his release from the Mtarfa club this summer.

Last season, under coach Ruben Baldacchino, Aquilina returned from injury to help his side win the final playoffs berth before the team fell to Mellieha Libertas in the semifinals. 

The veteran guard started every one of the 21 games he played across all competitions for Depiro last season, averaging 6.6 points, four assists and 6.6 rebounds per game. 

Now under new coach Sasha Dimitrijevic, Depiro seem to have a different direction in mind, having already brought over David Bugeja and Luca Stefanovic from Mellieha and Athleta respectively, while also extending the contract of US-import guard Cameron Cornelius for a third consecutive season. 

Sources close to Depiro told Malta Basketball that despite the club wanting to keep hold of the senior team captain, it was Aquilina’s wish to have more minutes on court, so it was only fair to allow him to move clubs.

While his next destination has not yet been made official, it seems likely that Aquilina will be Starlites’ answer to the loss of back-court duo Alec Felice Pace and Matt Attard, after the pair left the Naxxar-based club to pursue overseas basketball this summer. Felice Pace has already signed with German Regionalliga West side CityBasket Recklinghausen, while Attard is currently in negotiations with clubs in Australia.

Such a move would come in handy for Starlites as they prepare for their debut in European competition in September when they play Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers with Aquilina providing the experience within a roster that is mostly based on youth.