Basketball legend daniel Lowell Peterson celebrates his 90th birthday today, January 9, 2026, sharing a lifetime of memories from the court and beyond. Like his beloved Olimpia Milano, Peterson, a coach, communicator, and insightful observer of the game, has reached a milestone. he’s known for his ability to dissect the nuances of sport, offering a unique perspective honed through years of experience and a distinctly “Italian” way of expressing himself.
What was your first experience as a coach like?
“It was at Ridgeway when I was 15, after being cut as a player. We won 45-7,if my memory serves me correctly.”
Who, in your opinion, best embodied the rhythm of basketball through their dribbling skills?
“Mike D’Antoni. His discipline, technique, and precision made him a coach even *on* the court.”
“Franco Boselli was stylistically perfect, and Roberto Premier was remarkably effective – a player who never showed fear.”
Your 1-3-1 defense became iconic. What was the key to its success?
“It was always about heart, about the men on the floor. The best defender I ever coached? Meneghin, without a doubt. And Vittorio Gallinari, the only player capable of containing Larry Wright in the 1983 final against Roma.”
Olimpia Milano clearly holds a special place in your heart.
“Italy was my America. I arrived at Virtus Bologna in 1973 from Chile, where I had been coaching the national team. Five years later,president Bogoncelli sought me out for Milan. we met in Paris. I recall he was dining at a fine restaurant where a tie was required. I hadn’t brought one, but a waiter saved the day. ‘I want you to coach my team,’ Bogoncelli told me. ‘You inspire trust.’ Starting at Olimpia wasn’t easy,following Cesare Rubini,a true legend. The Palalido had three wooden benches, and I never sat on the one he always used.”
Who was the greatest Italian player of all time?
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