Born in 1991, Nicolo Melli isn’t old enough to have witnessed in real time the careers of several NBA players who greatly influenced him, but as a youngster in Italy, he had the next-best thing: Video cassette tapes featuring the highlights of all-time greats such as Julius Erving, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. As he watched “Dr. J” soar through the air for a dunk, or Magic throw a no-look pass, or “Larry Legend” swish a dagger three-pointer, Melli immediately knew what he wanted to do in life.
After a dozen years playing professionally in Europe, this fall the 28-year-old will perform in the same cities and arenas where his idols once starred, launching his NBA career as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.