Italian
The blue wing Achille Polonara announced on his social channels the decision to retire from playing basketball at 34 and a half years old
In the end, Achille Polonara chose retirement. He tried every way to return to the field, with training at Dinamo Sassari which had immediately decided to register him, then with sessions in Campania. But finally, the hopes of being able to return to the field and play like he used to have faded away.
Two and a half difficult years, first the testicular neoplasm, then the acute myeloid leukemia that seemed to leave him no escape. However, the blue wing then lifted its head again, as always, the operation, the bone marrow transplant, and a long rehabilitation. Then the heart surgery in February and the dream of being able to step on the court again.
In the end, he had to face reality and admit that his last match was on June 2, 2025, against Olimpia Milano for the championship semifinals.
A globetrotting career for the thirty-three-year-old from Marche. Starting from his Ancona, to Teramo, Varese, Reggio, and Sassari. Then moving on to some of the most prestigious basketball teams in Europe like Baskonia, Fenerbahce, Efes, and Zalgiris. Finally, in 2023, a return to Italy, this time to Bologna.
Polonara has won everywhere he has gone: a Spanish championship with Baskonia (2019), a Turkish one with Fenerbahce (2022), and a Lithuanian one with Zalgiris (2023), as well as a FIBA Europe Cup with Dinamo Sassari (2019), two Italian Supercups (Reggio Emilia 2015 and Virtus Bologna 2023), a President’s Cup in Turkey with Efes Anadolu (2022), and a Lithuanian Cup with Zalgiris (2023). The only thing missing was the Italian championship, which he won last year with Virtus while he was already in the hospital with the team cheering for him.
His career with the National team is also long with 94 appearances and 596 points scored. In between, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the World Cup in the Philippines in 2023, and two EuroBasket (2015 and 2022). A single great joy with the silver won with the Under 20 in 2011 at the European Championships in Spain.
A thank you to his teammates, coaches, but also to the haters who made him stronger. The dignity of the man, before that of the champion, is also seen in the way he chooses to retire.
Thank you Achi.
The words of Achille Polonara
“Thanks to the coaches, thanks to the teammates, to the medical staff of every team I have been with for making me feel like a GOOD player but above all a Man… thanks to those who insulted me on social media and in the arenas, you have been my strength!!!! I wish this moment would never come.
I tried, getting back to individual training but I understand that it’s time to say enough to playing basketball because I will no longer be the player I once was and I want you to remember me for what I was!! I will miss you basketball ❤️“
Photo Credits: Fip.it
