Leonessa Brescia guard Gianluca Santinon admits his summer included a period of profound uncertainty after his previous club folded, leaving him without a contract before the club stepped in to build a new project.

The Uncertain Summer Leading to Brescia

The 20-year-old guard spent the offseason without a roster spot when his former team folded, leaving him scrambling for a new professional home late in the summer transfer window. With few options left on the market, Santinon found himself facing an abrupt halt to his career before president Graziella Bragaglio, alongside new club partners and sponsors, assembled a rescue package to keep professional basketball alive in Brescia. Reflecting on those frantic weeks, Santinon noted that the swift intervention of local ownership gave him an unexpected lifeline to continue playing at a high level.

Derbies and Public Support in the Lower Categories

Leonessa Brescia currently shares the early-season spotlight at the top of the standings alongside Ferrara, while local rivals Orzinuovi and Lumezzane sit close behind as the league’s primary pursuers. Santinon pointed out that the upcoming calendar brings a pair of local derbies—contests the young guard has never previously experienced in his career. Beyond the regional rivalry, Santinon highlighted the unusual intensity of the club’s fan base, noting that the vocal crowds following the team both at home and on the road have caught several of his new teammates by surprise.

Tactical Adjustments Ahead of Legnano

Head coach Alessandro Calvani has focused the team’s weekly preparation on defensive continuity following a solid performance against Desio, while also demanding sharper execution in transition and quicker ball movement against set defenses. Santinon emphasized that maintaining defensive discipline remains the primary objective as the squad heads toward Saturday’s fixture against Legnano.