Massimiliano or “Max” Macrelli is an 18-year-old foreign exchange student from Italy. He is a senior in high school and currently attends school at Mary Star of the Sea High School in San Pedro, California. I was eager to interview him because he is a very enthusiastic basketball fan and knew so much about The Machine. Since he just arrived in Los Angeles in August, he hopes to one day meet Sasha Vujacic and maybe speak some Italian with him!

Just like Sasha, you came to a new country to live on your own. How is that going for you?

A change of life is never easy. You leave family and friends, but change is a part of your life.

You’re a basketball player. How long have you been playing?

I just started playing basketball four years ago.

You mentioned to me that Sasha shoots very well and shoots with the European technique. So you shoot that way too?

Yes, Sasha has the European style. I do not have that technique because I learned to play basketball by myself.

What’s the difference between the European technique and the American technique?

European style is like clear and easy. The American style is a dirty style.

You’re a very big basketball fan. How long have you been a Lakers fan?

I’ve been a Lakers fan for ten years. Basketball has always been my passion.

How does Sasha inspire you?

He inspires me because he is one of the best European players in the league and he still plays for the Lakers after 5 seasons.

You told me that some people call you Sasha Vujacic. Why? Is it because you kind of look like him?

When I first came to L.A., I went to play basketball and I always shoot from the outside. So they started to call me Sasha Vujacic – because I’m European and I shoot from the outside.

What’s your message for Sasha?

Ciao Sasha. Sono uno dei tuoi fan. Penso che tu sia uno dei piu bravi giocatori Europei che giocano nella NBA. Ti ammiro molto e mi piacerebbe incontrarti.

[Hi Sasha. I’m one of your fans. I think that you are one of the best European players that ever played for the NBA. I admire you and I’d like to meet you]