Behind the Athlete with Cecilia Zandalasini

One of Italy’s basketball stars, Cecilia Zandalasini, shares an intimate story, unveiling her emotions tied to her greatest passion: playing basketball.

Cecilia wears Nike

From her incredible American experience to her move to Istanbul and love for the city of Bologna, watch the video and discover a new side of Cecilia Zandalasini.

Cecilia Zandalasini: the champion rewriting basketball history

Cecilia began playing basketball at the age of 4, inspired by her father and brother. At 13, she joined GEAS Sesto San Giovanni, and by 15, she entered the Italian national team, winning silver at the Under-20 European Championship, where she was named MVP.
Her rise was swift, leading her to the senior national team. At the 2017 European Championship, she captured the hearts of Italians and gained international recognition. At just 21, she led the Italian team to the quarterfinals, sparking "Zandamania" in Italy. After her breakout performance at the Europeans, the WNBA called, and on August 29, 2017, Cecilia made her American debut with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA.
Following her U.S. stint, Cecilia returned to Europe in 2018, playing three seasons with Fenerbahçe, winning two Turkish championships. After her time with Virtus Bologna, Cecilia embarked on another adventure with the Minnesota Lynx in the U.S. Now, she's ready to return to Turkey to compete in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues, playing for Galatasaray. This prestigious club is not only known for its success in women’s basketball but also stands as one of Turkey’s most illustrious teams.
With her determination and proven talent, Cecilia is poised to help write a new chapter of success for both Galatasaray and women’s basketball.

Behind the Athlete: A project showcasing champions from a unique perspective.

"Behind the Athlete" allows us to tell powerful, authentic stories, highlighting the passions, values, and human side of great champions, often hidden behind their on-court performances.
We aim to inspire our community by sharing the importance of values like passion, commitment, and determination, which extend far beyond sports.

A special thanks to Nike, and best of luck to Cecilia for the new season!