In the video: the clip of the basketball performance of Frandzi Piero
Frenzadi Piero was not sure all his life that he would be a footballer. In his youth, he had a basketball career and was considered a talent when he played at Melrose High School together with current Maccabi Tel Aviv player Jaylen Adams. The two were the duo that led the high school, and it is doubtful that when they played together they believed that they would both end up playing in Israel, one in Maccabi Haifa football, while the other In Maccabi Tel Aviv in basketball.
The yellow guard remembers Piero well, and is not surprised by the conversion to football. In a conversation with the Sports Channel, Adams told about Piero the basketball player, the one he collaborated with.
“I remember him well. He started playing basketball late, but everything was natural to him – he was really good at it,” Adams said, “He was very athletic and managed to dunk while we couldn’t. He had significant size and incredible athletic abilities.”
Does it surprise you that he plays football?
“He was always good at soccer. Basketball was a hobby for him. When I heard he was playing in Israel, it really surprised me.”
you spoke to him?
“When I got here the first week, I talked to him. I watched all his games, and I am in excellent contact with him. We agreed that when Maccabi Tel Aviv meets Maccabi Haifa, I will come to the stands to see him up close.”
Who is better at basketball?
“Of course I am, but in football he is something else. Basketball is a natural talent for him. He is unusually athletic. He could do everything – lead the ball, score and more. It was impressive.”
If you’re wondering how big Piero’s potential was as a basketball player, the man who can probably provide the best answer is Mike Kasperzak, the player’s high school coach (2011-2014). In an interview that took him back to the beginning of the previous decade, Kasperzak talked about Piero’s capabilities from his perspective and the unrealized potential.
“Fierro’s first love has always been football, but I believe if he had chosen basketball and focused on it, he would have made it to Division 1 college (the highest level in the United States),” Kasperzak claimed. “He was so invested in football, but if he had announced publicly that he intended to continue playing basketball – he would certainly have received scholarships.”
“Pierro very quickly became a prominent player,” continued his former coach. “He was selected as an All-Star in our league and led us to a 1:22 record season, after a 3:20 season. When he was in 12th grade, we were candidates for the state championship, but Frantzadi broke his wrist and missed the entire season. We needed his leadership and intensity. I well remember these two characteristics in him, along with his smile and love for competition. Piero could influence the game in two moves, he was very smart on and off the pitch, he was admired for his positive attitude.”
Piero was a special basketball talent,” Kasperzak added. “Every time we didn’t play well, he would take it to heart and do everything to change the momentum, especially through defense. Frantezdi was an excellent defender, he led our defensive pressure and he was an excellent finisher. It was fun to see him on the floor, I really enjoyed training him. I’ve never coached a player with so much energy and enthusiasm, and I’m sure it’s reflected on the football field.”
“I would compare Piero to Boston star Jaylen Brown at the start of his career, when he entered the NBA and his shooting was not as good as it is today. This version of Brown reminds Piero because both are based on physicality, defense, finishing and energy.” By the way, Brown’s home stadium in the best league in the world, the TD Garden, is a 20-minute drive from Piero’s school.