2.24 center Samuel Deguara ('91), from Benetton Treviso, has been destroying stats last summers playing with Malta the U-18 Division C European Championships. The huge prospect led in 2009 his team to the title after averaging 27.2 points, 23.8 rebounds and 4.4 blocks. The level of the opponents (with most of the players under 2.00m) cannot give us a clear idea of what he is capable to do against the best of his age. So is very important for him compete with his italian team during the season to improve fighting against the best prospects of the country. This year he is in the roster of Benetton junior squad (U-19), but since October 1st he has been sideline due an injury in his right knee (cartilage). Now he is arriving to the last weeks of his recovery and he hopes he can help the team in the U-19 italian championship final round that will be held in Bologna in one month.

Eurohopes contacted him: "I did like two months with the crutches, then I started walking. At the moment I am managing the pain with the sessions of training, but the doctors are happy because I'm improving every week. I start doing also individual training with the ball with the assistants of Repesa under the basket, and I am still seeing improvement in the movement of my right leg because now I can jump more than before. I hope that I'll be ready middle May but if the circumstances don't be fine it will take more. I hope I'll play for the U-19 finals in Bologna because they need me to grab some more rebound and do more some easy points". 

The prospect of Malta also adds that "I think this summer would be not easy for me, but I am going to work with the coaches to be prepared for the next season. I'm looking forward for next year".

Deguara -in the pic beside italian Bargnani (Raptors)- has contract with Benetton Treviso til 2015, but with an NBA in 2012.