Unveiled: Giorgia Sottana
My name is Giorgia Sottana. I was born to be a basketball player.
Basketball simply came natural to me. Dribbling past the defenders, facilitating the offense, scoring baskets, and hitting the game-winning shots have never been difficult for me. I started playing professionally when at the young age of fifteen, and I have torn my ACL twice throughout the years, yet I have survived again and again, and I came back on court again and again. Playing this irresistible sport of basketball is just as natural as breathing to me.
When I am playing on court, everything makes sense for the crowd. They know they could rely on me to control the game; they know the prodigy from Treviso could put the ball into the basket when needed; they know they will see a fantastic exhibition of basketball that would be worth the ticket price.
But, I didn’t always know that.
For the longest time, I played basketball under the expectation and influence of others. I was treated as a promise and raised as a prodigy. This promise on my shoulder was bestowed upon by others who had watched me play and it has constantly affected my decisions ever since I turned pro. I played basketball for everyone else and I started to have doubts for the sport I supposedly should love.
I suddenly began to lose contact and feel for basketball. For this period of time, I feel as if I were only limited to a sport that I do not even know I truly like or not. I believe I am much more than just a basketball player, not in the philanthropist, humanitarian, or social influencing perspective, but simply stating that I can do more than just basketball. I enjoy painting, photography, writing, and many more aspects of life that I didn’t know. I am a person first, and then a basketball player. While I have fulfilled many of dreams as a basketball player, there is so much more in this world that I would love to explore. As many of us athletes have been placed on the golden pedestal, it is important for us to realize and remember that we are simply humans and not godlike creatures who could conquer physical pain, mental illness, and constant aging. I am more than grateful for the presence of basketball as my life has been blessed by this beautiful sport, and yet I refuse to let this sport define myself as a person. As I have concentrated my whole life in this one singular aspect, I wish to expand my range within this beautiful world and the unlimited possibilities it presents.
There were countless trophies I have won and opportunities I have missed, yet this reconciliation with myself is the most deciding, challenging and rewarding moment of my life and basketball career. Throughout all the rises and falls and victories and losses, I have gained and discovered my love for basketball once again. Only this time, I am no longer playing the sport for anyone else.
“Ogni promessa è debito” states that a promise is a debt, yet I no longer owe the promise to anyone but myself.
To all the fellow athletes who have been doubted by others, keep on going and believe in your own talents. To all the fellow athletes who have suffered from the pressure and expectation of others, explore your inner thoughts and realize you are fighting no one else’s battle but yours.
My name is Giorgia Sottana. I was born to be a basketball player, and yet, I am much more than a basketball player.
Giorgia Sottana is an italian professional basketball player currently playing for Famila Basket Schio. She is the founder of 4fourAM magazine, aspiring videographer, and travel enthusiast.
This piece was told to Lai Wei by Giorgia Sottana.
