In a year of significant changes for Pro Recco, USA center-forward and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Ben Hallock remains a key figure in the Italian powerhouse’s plans.
After an eventful summer that saw several high-profile departures, including Aleksandar Ivović, Konstantinos Kakaris, Gergő Zalánki, and Alvaro Granados, Pro Recco is rebuilding with a mix of new talent and veteran presence. Hallock, along with fellow star Aaron Younger and several Italian internationals, aims to help the team maintain its status as one of Europe’s best.
Reflecting on the challenges, the team faces after the shake-up, Hallock, 26, shared his thoughts on Recco’s current situation with Márton Takács of Eurosport:
“We’re still trying to figure it out. We’ve been playing together with this team for a long time, but we’ve had important departures, so it’s still a new situation. Obviously, we have a lot of work to do, so we have to work.”
Although rumours circulated during the off-season that Hallock might leave Recco, he ultimately decided to stay. When asked what influenced his decision, Hallock explained:
“I think everyone had their own personal reasons. Many of us have family in Italy, for example, my fiancée. Several of the players at Recco are very good friends of mine. I’ve been playing there for four years now. I didn’t want to leave, especially so suddenly after what happened in the summer.”
Hallock’s Olympic journey was also a highlight of the year, culminating in a bronze medal with the U.S. national team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Reflecting on this milestone, he shared the emotional weight of the experience:
“It’s amazing! It was a dream, a dream come true. It took a lot of hard work and a lot of suffering to get to that moment.”
As Pro Recco gears up for the new season, Hallock discussed the team’s ambitious goals, which include contending for multiple titles across domestic and international competitions:
“We want to win as much as possible. The Italian championship, the Italian Cup, and the Euro Cup as well.”
While the team still has much to prove, Hallock remains confident that with dedication and teamwork, they can continue to be a dominant force:
“It’s up to us. I mean, if we just play as hard as we did against BVSC, we’re not going to win it. But if we work hard, we’ll come together. Once everyone’s back and healthy, we’ll do it. Recco is still a strong team, I trust the guys.”
With the combination of returning veterans like Hallock and new young fresh talent, Pro Recco has the potential to defend their Italian title and chase even more silverware this season.