The Daily Northwestern
Thomas Soltau spent nearly two years frustrated at the far end of the bench, but his life after Northwestern has been filled with free meals, trips across Europe and practices with All-Americans.
Soltau withdrew from NU before Winter Quarter to pursue professional basketball in Europe. Today, the would-be sophomore will suit up in his first game with Benneton Basket, an Italian Serie A team based in Treviso.
“At Northwestern I learned a lot about the things I didn’t want,” Soltau said. “That gave me a lot of motivation to work hard during my tryouts. And now it has all worked out really well.”
Benneton features American players such as NCAA All-Americans and ex-NBA players Tyus Edney and Trajan Langdon, as well as players from seven other countries. The squad emerged as a favorite to reach the Euro League Final Four after winning the Italian Cup on Saturday and sits atop the Italian Serie A standings with a 19-3 record.
The biggest difference between his new team and NU has been the level of play.
“It’s totally awesome to play with those guys,” Soltau said. “Just practice every day, it’s extremely challenging.”
Soltau said his new teammates have made him feel at home despite living in a country where he doesn’t know the language.
“Everyone has helped me out,” he said. “Your team is more like a family over here. Within an hour I made great new friends.
“This is what I always wanted.”
Soltau’s final game with the NU basketball team was on Jan. 4, when he logged two minutes in a 70-42 win against Long Island. It was his fourth appearance in the Cats’ 11 contests.
NU coach Bill Carmody said Soltau’s departure wasn’t a rash decision.
“He knew that someone would want him,” Carmody said. “Now he’ll find exactly where he fits in.”
The native of Roskilde, Denmark has been impressed with his new team, especially the veterans.
“They have a little more patience over here,” Soltau said. “I feel like I’m getting a fair shot. All the older guys help the younger guys so the team gets better, they don’t just shout at you.”
Leaving school behind wasn’t a large issue in his decision, Soltau said. Classes were more of what he had to do in order play ball.
“I miss my girlfriend,” he said. “But that’s about it.”
He returned to Denmark a week after leaving the Cats and by the end of January had signed with sports agent Luciano Capricchioni. The Italian-based agent is considered one of the top sports agents in Europe and represents Milwaukee Bucks forward Toni Kukoc.
Capricchioni contacted various European coaches and Soltau went through a series of four workouts, two individual and two with other players.
In less than a week, the 20-year-old received offers from five teams, and that wasn’t counting offers he had outside of Italy.
Soltau said he decided to play in Italy because his agent was familiar with the Italian leagues.
From eating out on his team’s dime to saying goodbye to the hassles of having a roommate, Soltau has enjoyed every aspect of his new life.
“The thing I appreciate most is the kindness everyone has over here,” he said.
