Best Italian players not in the NBA?

[Kc17]

Was wondering if someone would be able to list some good Italian players/prospects who aren't currently in the NBA.

[Mahn-a-waukie]

Hi there, Italian poster here. At the moment I would say that Danilo, Bargnani and Belinelli are the only Italian players who can play basketball at NBA level. Some other Italian guys tried to play their NBA chances in the last years (like Mancinelli, who played a couple of Summer League games, and Gigli who was the only undrafted player in the green room a few years ago) but even in their italian teams they're just rotation players.

Generally, one of the best Italian players of the last decade has been Gianluca Basile, who was also the captain of the national team during its golden age (silver medal in 2004, victory over US in a friendly match). He had proposals to join the NBA but he decided not to go coz he was too old and unable to accept the marginal role he would have had there. He left his historical team Fortitudo at 30 and went to Barcelona in order to have a chance to win Eurolega. This year could be the year for him, as Barcelona is making the Final 4.

The best italian player in the Italian league so far has been Pietro Aradori: he plays for Angelico Biella (same team that launched Thabo and Jerebko) and he's a natural scorer, someone says he could end up being selected with a 2nd round pick but i'm doubtful about his NBA impact/potential. He's good and efficient, great scoring istincts, but he lacks quickness to compete at American level. If he keeps on developing like he's doin he can become Euroleague material, though.

For the future, check out the development of Niccolò Melli (currently playing in A2 league, nxt year he will go to the top league).. he was born in 1991 and he's described as one of the top prospects of European basketball. He's a PF with flashes of greatness and huge potential. I think he will be the next Italian player in the NBA.

[brassviews]

Roberto Rullo had a bright future ahead of him. I don't know now.

[Toxicity]

Roberto Rullo had a bright future ahead of him. I don't know now.

He's in the Italian 2nd League right now but he's not NBA material... he may be Euroleague material but has to become much better mentally. Great talent though...

Pietro Aradori is the real deal among young italians but i'm not sure about his NBA chances... he has the body and the skills but he lacks great quickness and athleticism to play the 2 guard at the next level... right now he's more an undersized SF. He may be the italian version of Delfino with better offensive skills and less leaping abilites...

Agree with Mahn-a-waukie on Melli and the fact he'll be the next big prospect from Italy. Anyway he's a tweener right now (6-9 SF/PF) but he's improving at high rate and he's already scouted by some huge NBA teams (ex: LA Lakers)...

Some other interesting names (not necessarily NBA prospects): Andrea Renzi (PF/C - '89), Daniele Sandri (SG - '90), Andrea De Nicolao (PG - 91), Riccardo Moraschini (SG - '91), Alessandro Gentile (SG - '92), Tommaso Ingrosso (SF - '92)...

[Sabas11]

What happened to Luigi Da Tome? I remember watching him last year in the Euroleague and thought he was alright. He also appeared on some mock drafts as a potential second round pick the year he was eligible

[ehmiliano]

Datome is playing in Rome but he is not at all NBA material.

So far, the best Italian player after the three in NBA is Pietro Aradori, He is playing for Biella. He was born in December 1988 and this made impressive development. I think that he can be NBA material even if he has not the body to defend to small forwards

[Toxicity]

Well, Datome may still be NBA material since he's a shooting and athletic 6-9 SF (so a prototycal NBA role player at 3 position)... but he's mentally weak and too inconsistent (and he lacks ball handling) so i doubt he'll ever be something more than a decent Euroleague player. Some years ago he was mentioned among the best euro born in 1987 and obviously was considered a sure fire draft pick...

[Italia Raps Fan]

I think Stefano Mancinelli.

[Charlie_S]

Right now it's definitely Aradori, but I can't see him being NBA material: way too slow to guard any kind of NBA wing, and it would be much tougher for him to create his own shot against bigger, stronger defenders. He's already Euroleague-caliber, though, and should be a big contributor for the NT as well for years to come.

[SantosHelper]

Luca Vitali