FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Rakim Sanders and Derek Needham met up on the hardwood more than 4,000 miles from Alumni Hall and the Arena at Harbor Yard where they thrilled Fairfield University men's basketball fans during the 2011-12 season. On June 5, the former teammates faced each other as opponents in the Lega A championship series between Olimpia Milano and Reggiana. The series resumes on June 7 in Reggio Emilia, home of Reggiana.
Sanders helped Milano take a 2-0 lead in the series with a 94-73 victory over Needham and Reggiana. Sanders scored 19 of his team's 94 points while Needham contributed three points to his team's cause. Reggiana held a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter but Milano rallied to take a six-point halftime edge. Reggiana was still within striking distance, trailing by seven points after three quarters. However, Milano outscored its opponent by a 25-11 margin in the final quarter to take the victory.
"Fairfield University helped me get here today by showing me hard work with Bob Simon (Fairfield assistant coach) during my freshman year and ever since then I understood that hard work will open doors for me," Needham said. "I'm excited to go up against a close friend and teammate in Rakim because I know he will bring the best out of me. My role in this team is more of an energy guy and a defensive guy; I was given a great opportunity to help a team compete in the playoffs and hopefully we'll fight for a championship."
Sanders also felt that his stay at Fairfield was instrumental in helping him play professionally overseas.
"Fairfield University helped prepare me a lot for a successful pro career from the individual training to the European trip leading into my senior year to having a coaching staff that played pro overseas themselves," Sanders said. "My role on my team this year hasn't changed much: they expect me to defend and rebound and then my scoring will come. It's been a long season after having to overcome a wrist surgery but I can't complain at all. We finished in first place of our league and are playing for the championship with home court advantage."
Fairfield University Head Coach Sydney Johnson is no stranger to the Italian League since he also played for Milano during his professional career.
"Rakim and Derek are two of the most talented players that I've ever coached," Johnson said. "I'm so glad to see them excelling in Italy because I saw them give so much of their talent and passion to make us winners here at Fairfield. To both of them, I say "in bocca al lupo!" (Good luck!).
For updates on Fairfield basketball as well as updates on Sanders, Needham, and other basketball alumni, please follow Coach Johnson (@CoachJStags) and the Fairfield University basketball (@StagsMensBball) on Twitter. You can also find Fairfield basketball updates on Instagram.
