The Show with former Aris B.C. standout “Super Mario” Boni!
In another episode of “The Show” by Trace ‘n Chase, Vassilis Skountis sits down with the legendary Mario Boni who shares his nostalgic journey through the glory days of Greek basketball, his memories of triumphs and challenges and the unbreakable bond he formed with the fans that earned him the beloved chant “The Italian is crazy”. Tune in to relive the nostalgia of the 90s, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and celebrate a true professional who captured hearts both on and off the court.
Mario Boni played in the youth ranks of birth town side Fulgor Codogno before joining Unione Cestistica Piacentina, American Eagle Vigevano and eventually Montecatini S.C., a Serie B club where he stayed for 9 years, forming a famous duo with Andrea Niccolai that saw them nicknamed “i gemelli” (the twins). They were both crucial in the successive promotions of Montecatini, first in Serie A2 after the 1986–87 season, then for a historical first promotion to the top tier Serie A in 1989. His 765 points during the 1992–93 season were the league’s best, though he scored them in 4 more games than official top scorer Larry Middleton.
Boni later moved to the United States, joining United States Basketball League side Memphis Fire and the Yakima Sun Kings of the Continental Basketball Association, before rejoining Montecatini, where he stayed for the 1995–96 season. Taking advantage of the Bosman ruling, the Italian signed with Greek Basket League side Aris B.C. in 1996 where he had a decisive contribution to the team’s 1997 Korać Cup victory over Turkish side Tofaş, scoring 20 points in the second leg of the final (16 in the first). After winning the Greek Basketball Cup in February 1998, he left the Greek club due to financial issues and joined Serie A side Calze Pompea Roma before jumping to Spanish Liga ACB side Cantabria Lobos in 1999 and then returning to Italy permanently in 2000 where he finished the season with Roseto Basket, earning yet another promotion to the Serie A, where he played for two seasons. Next year, now with Teramo Basket of the Serie A2, he also helped the team advance to the first division while during the Serie A 2003-04 season, he finished – at 40 years old – as the league’s second best scorer. Boni stayed in Serie A, joining Sicc Cucine Jesi in 2004, where he reunited with coach Lefteris Subotić, before moving to Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna. Finishing the season with Virtus, in the second division, he was part of his fifth career promotion as the team won the playoff final. He returned to Montecatini in 2005, in the second division, where he was reunited with Niccolai on the court, playing a final season together. Boni moved on to Unione Cestistica Casalpusterlengo of the Serie B1 in 2006, but could not achieve another promotion in the two years he spent there.
His accolades include:
1 Korac Cup with Aris Thessaloniki (1996-1997)
1 Greek League Cup with Aris Thessaloniki (1997-1998)
5 Promotions from Serie A2:
Montecatini: 1988-1989, 1991-1992
Rose Garden: 1999-2000
Teramo: 2002-2003
Virtus Bologna: 2004-2005
Stay tuned for more episodes from “The Show” by Trace ‘n Chase coming soon…!
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