On Court with Giuseppe Difonzo - Scholar Profile

Published: 2 March 2021 at 12:31

In this week’s sport scholar profile, we’re speaking with basketball player, Giuseppe Difonzo. Giuseppe, who is due to complete his MBA this summer, has been a key figure within our basketball programme for the past four years.

Playing in the position of Guard, Giuseppe has been an instrumental figure on the court, helping the team achieve both promotion to tier 1 of BUCS for the first time and our highest ever finish in the National Basketball League during the 2019/20 season.

Name: Giuseppe Difonzo

Sport: Basketball

Course: MBA Master of Business Administration

Q. Hello Giuseppe, with the Coronavirus pandemic still having a large impact on our lives, where are you currently and how have you been managing keep active during this lockdown?

A. I’m currently back home in Italy. Although we’re in lockdown, individual outdoor practice is still allowed. Fortunately, living in the south the weather conditions are usually great and this allows me to play basketball on a public court and go for a run almost 4 times per week.

Q. Despite the challenges and lack of competitive opportunities over the past year, are there any achievements you’re particularly proud of?

A. With no competitions at all over the past year, I would say that having played basketball and trained during the first trimester is something that I am proud of, as it was a way of going back to normality and to create comfortable circumstances during a tough global situation.

Q. What are your sporting aims and ambitions for 2021?

A. The ambition for this year will be the same as always; to give the best possible to the team, commit, perform at maximum level and try to win the league I’ll play for.

Q. What has been your favourite sporting memory during your time at ARU?

A. Undoubtedly the whole 2019/2020 BUCS competition was unforgettable as we won the league, ending the season undefeated.

Q. What’s the best thing about playing sport at ARU?

A. Besides developing social skills and keeping yourself fit, the best thing about playing sport at ARU is getting to know a lot of people and having a second family that supports you.

Q. What are your current plans for pursuing your sporting career when you graduate?

A. Anywhere that life will take me. I’ll always try to find a sports club to play with and improve. The past years and the great experience in the ARU basketball team have taught me the importance of sport and the values related to it. For this reason, I believe that sport, as in life, it is fundamental to perform at your best in everything you do.