Simone Fontecchio

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Simone Fontecchio

| image = 2021-06-01 ALBA Berlin gegen ratiopharm Ulm (Play-off-Halbfinale 3, Basketball-Bundesliga 2020-21) by Sandro Halank–041.jpg

| image_size =

| caption =

| position = Small forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 7

| weight_lbs = 209

| league = NBA

| team = Detroit Pistons

| number = 19

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|12|9|df=y}}

| birth_place = Pescara, Italy

| draft_year = 2017

| career_start = 2012

| career_end =

| years1 = 2012–2016

| team1 = Virtus Bologna

| years2 = 2016–2019

| team2 = Olimpia Milano

| years3 = 2017–2018

| team3 = →Vanoli Cremona

| years4 = 2019–2020

| team4 = Reggiana

| years5 = 2020–2021

| team5 = Alba Berlin

| years6 = 2021–2022

| team6 = Baskonia

| years7 = {{nbay|2021|end}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}

| team7 = Utah Jazz

| years8 = {{nbay|2023|end}}–present

| team8 = Detroit Pistons

| highlights =

}}

Simone Fontecchio (born 9 December 1995) is an Italian professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays at the small forward position.

Youth career

Fontecchio participated in an array of youth tournaments:

2011 Jordan Brand Classic International Tour game in London (not to be confused with the International Game of the same tournament)
2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament
2012 Basketball Without Borders Europe
2012-13 Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament Rome tournament.{{cite web |url=http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=004499&gamecode=14&seasoncode=JT12#!careerstats |title=Fontecchio Simone |website=EuroLeague |access-date=29 April 2015}}

Fontecchio notably won the Italian Under 17 championship in 2011–12 and the Under 19 championship the same season and in 2012–13, all for Virtus Bologna.{{cite web |url=http://www.virtus.it/scheda/nome-cognome-1 |title=Simone Fontecchio |website=Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna |access-date=29 April 2015 |language=it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030052624/http://www.virtus.it/scheda/nome-cognome-1 |archive-date=30 October 2014 }}

Professional career

=Virtus Bologna (2012–2016)=

Fontecchio was promoted from the Virtus U19 to the senior side in 2012–13, alternating between the two during the season. He played a symbolic minute in LBA on 4 November 2011 before posting his first genuine first division stat sheet, missing his five shots for three rebounds and a steal, on 30 December.{{cite web |url=http://www.legabasket.it/game/65/65597.html |title=Legabasket Serie A - 13° Gionarta Andata (Banco di Sardegna Sassari - SAIE3 Bologna) |website=Lega Basket |access-date=29 April 2015 |language=it |trans-title=Legabasket Serie A - 13th round }}

After an active youth career and a professional debut at only 17, there was talk of him going to the United States to play high school and later on college basketball, however he stayed loyal to Virtus and signed a five-year professional contract with the team in June 2013, his parents had to be present as he was still a minor at the time.{{cite web |url=http://bologna.repubblica.it/sport/2013/06/13/news/fontecchio_firma_per_5_anni_il_suo_futuro_bianconero-61034354/ |title=Fontecchio firma per 5 anni, il suo futuro è bianconero |date=13 June 2013 |website=la Repubblica |access-date=17 June 2015 |language=it |trans-title=Fontecchio signs for 5 years, his future is black and white}}

After twice being selected to take part in the league All Star Game (2014 and 2015),{{cite web |url=http://corrieredibologna.corriere.it/bologna/notizie/basket_city/2014/17-dicembre-2014/fontecchio-all-all-star-game-230737870642.shtml |title=Fontecchio all'All Star Game |last=Aquino |first=Luca |date=17 December 2014 |website=Corriere di Bologna |publisher=RCS MediaGroup |access-date=17 June 2015 |language=it |trans-title=Fontecchio at the All Star Game}} he was voted Best Player Under 22 in May 2015.{{cite web |url=http://corrieredibologna.corriere.it/bologna/notizie/basket_city/2015/8-maggio-2015/virtus-fontecchio-nominato-miglior-giovane-dell-anno-2301359815874.shtml |title=Virtus, Fontecchio nominato miglior giovane dell'anno |last=Aquino |first=Luca |date=8 May 2015 |website=Corriere di Bologna |publisher=RCS MediaGroup |access-date=17 June 2015 |language=it |trans-title=Virtus, Fontecchio named best young player of the year}}

That season would also see his first participation in the playoffs, scoring 10.3 points and grabbing 3.3 rebounds per game as Virtus were swept by title holders Olimpia Milano.

Fontecchio declared for the 2015 NBA draft on 25 April as an early entrant, two years before being automatically eligible in 2017.{{cite web |url=http://corrieredibologna.corriere.it/bologna/notizie/basket_city/2015/25-aprile-2015/virtus-fontecchio-si-dichiara-draft-nba-2301304441762.shtml |title=Virtus, Fontecchio si dichiara al draft Nba |last=Aquino |first=Luca |date=25 April 2015 |website=Corriere di Bologna |publisher=RCS MediaGroup |access-date=17 June 2015 |language=it |trans-title=Virtus, Fontecchio declares himself for the NBA draft}}

He attended a draft workout with the Boston Celtics in June 2015,{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/draft-workout-pat-connaughton-puts-baseball-hold-pursue-nba-career |title=Draft Workout: Pat Connaughton puts baseball on hold to pursue NBA career |last=Snow |first=Taylor C. |date=10 June 2015 |website=NBA |publisher=Boston Celtics |location=Waltham (Massachusetts) |access-date=17 June 2015}} whilst they declaredly considered picking in the second round, he withdrew his candidacy on 16 June 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/basket/nba/2015/06/16-1707043/fontecchio_niente_draft_gallinari_allenato_da_malone/ |title=Fontecchio, niente draft Gallinari allenato da Malone |author= |date=17 June 2015 |website=Corriere dello Sport – Stadio |location=New York |access-date=16 June 2015 |language=it |trans-title=Fontecchio, no draft. Gallinari trained by Malone}}

=Olimpia Milano (2016–2019)=

On 8 July 2016, Fontecchio signed with Olimpia Milano of the Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroLeague.{{Cite web|url=https://www.olimpiamilano.com/en/welcome-to-milano-simone-fontecchio/|title=Welcome To Milano Simone Fontecchio|website=Olimpia Milano|date=8 July 2016|access-date=June 26, 2024}} After an unsatisfying 2018–19 season with Olimpia, where Fontecchio played an average of less than a minute Euroleague{{cite web |url=https://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=004499&seasoncode=E2018 |title=2018-19 Euroleague Stats}} and 2.8 minutes in Serie A,{{cite web |url=http://web.legabasket.it/player/FON-SIM-95/fontecchio_simone|title=2018-2019 LBA stats|language=it}} Fontecchio was set to join his former team Virtus Bologna, coached by Aleksandar Đorđević, but the agreement was not finalized.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vunerebologna.it/la-virtus-bologna-abbandona-la-pista-simone-fontecchio/|title=La Virtus Bologna abbandona la pista Simone Fontecchio|date=15 July 2018|access-date=4 January 2022|website=|publisher=Vu Nere Bologna|language=it}}

=Reggio Emilia (2019–2020)=

On 18 July 2019, Fontecchio signed with Reggio Emilia in the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/reggio-emilia-signs-simone-fontecchio/|title=Reggio Emilia signs Simone Fontecchio|last=|first=|date=18 July 2019|website=|newspaper=Sportando|access-date=20 September 2019|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}

=Alba Berlin (2020–2021)=

On 7 July 2020, Fontecchio signed with Alba Berlin of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/alba-berlin-officially-signs-simone-fontecchio/|title=Alba Berlin officially signs Simone Fontecchio|last=|first=|date=7 July 2020|website=|newspaper=Sportando|access-date=7 July 2020|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }} It was here where Fontecchio broke out, averaging 10.6 points in over 23 minutes per game.{{Cite web|url=https://basketnews.com/news-164668-far-from-italy-why-simone-fontecchio-keeps-flourishing-away-from-home.html|title=Simone Fontecchio: The chase of fulfilling the NBA dream|publisher=BasketNews|date=28 January 2022}}

=Baskonia (2021–2022)=

On 9 July 2021, Fontecchio signed a three-year deal with Baskonia of the Liga ACB.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/simone-fontecchio-new-baskonista-for-the-next-three-seasons/|title=Simone Fontecchio new baskonista for the next three seasons|last=|first=|date=9 July 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|access-date=9 July 2021|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro}}

=Utah Jazz (2022–2024)=

On 17 July 2022, Fontecchio signed a two-year contract with the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Utah Jazz.{{cite web|title=Report: Jazz sign international free agent forward Simone Fontecchio|url=https://www.nba.com/news/jazz-sign-international-free-agent-forward-simone-fontecchio|website=NBA.com|date=27 July 2022|access-date=27 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=Chi è Simone Fontecchio, terzo italiano in NBA|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2022/07/18/simone-fontecchio-nba-utah-jazz/|work=Il Post|date=18 July 2022|access-date=19 July 2022|language=it}} Fontecchio made his NBA debut on 19 October.{{cite web|title=Simone Fontecchio Statistics|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fontesi01.html|website=basketball-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=4 November 2022}} On 7 December, Fontecchio made a game-winning dunk in a 124–123 win over the Golden State Warriors.{{cite web|first=Angelo|last=Guinhawa|title=VIDEO: Jordan Poole, Warriors pull brutal 4-point choke job in final seconds vs. Jazz|url=https://clutchpoints.com/jazz-news-jordan-poole-warriors-pull-brutal-4-point-choke-job-in-final-seconds-vs-utah|website=ClutchPoints.com|date=7 December 2022|access-date=8 December 2022}} Fontecchio's career high came on 14 December 2023, against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he scored 24 points on 87% field goal percentage. Fontecchio tied his career-high 24 points on 2 January 2024, in a 127–90 win against the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web|title=Simone Fontecchio 2023-24 Stats per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3899664/simone-fontecchio|website=ESPN.com|access-date=21 December 2023}}

=Detroit Pistons (2024–present)=

On February 8, 2024, Fontecchio was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Kevin Knox II, a second round pick and the rights to Gabriele Procida.{{cite web|title=DETROIT PISTONS ACQUIRE SIMONE FONTECCHIO FROM UTAH|url=https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detroit-pistons-acquire-simone-fontecchio-from-utah|website=NBA.com|date=8 February 2024|access-date=8 February 2024}}

In May 2024, Fontecchio underwent surgery on his left big toe.{{cite web |title=Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Cleared to play |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/pistons-simone-fontecchio-cleared-to-play/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=30 September 2024 |language=en |date=30 September 2024}}

On July 12, 2024, Fontecchio re-signed with the Pistons.{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|title=Pistons Re-Sign Simone Fontecchio To Two-Year Deal|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/pistons-simone-fontecchio-agree-to-two-year-deal.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=12 July 2024|access-date=19 July 2024}}{{cite news|first=Omari|last=Sanfoka|title=Pistons re-sign Simone Fontecchio on 2-year contract for $16 million|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2024/07/06/simone-fontecchio-contract-pistons-nba/74261594007/|website=Freep.com|access-date=14 July 2024}}

National team career

Fontecchio has played for the under age teams of Italy since turning up for the U16's in the 2011 European Championship (10th place).

Since then, he was involved with the U18's in the 2012 European Championship (7th place) and 2013 European Championship (10th place, best scorer for Italy) and the U20's in the 2014 European Championship (10th place).[http://u20men.fibaeurope.com/en/cid_FW2Ym8GSJEAe2vpbWdQMR0.playerID_92661.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2014.roundID_10029.teamID_307.html "2014 U20 European Championship – Simone Fontecchio."], FIBA Europe. Retrieved on 29 April 2015.[https://web.archive.org/web/20141018122642/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/92661/sid/10029/tid/307/_/2014_U20_European_Championship_Men_DIVISION_A/index.html "2014 U20 European Championship – Simone Fontecchio."], FIBA. Retrieved on 29 April 2015.

Fontecchio participated to the 2020 Summer Olympics basketball tournament with Italy, reaching the quarterfinals. He was the leading scorer in Italy's 92–82 win over Germany, scoring 20 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists and stealing 3 balls. He was also Italy's top performer in this game, with a 21 efficiency rate.{{cite web|title=Germany vs. Italy|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/game/2507/Germany-Italy|publisher=FIBA|access-date=23 August 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210822115653/http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/game/2807/Nigeria-Germany|archive-date=22 August 2021}} He was again the leading scorer in Italy's 83–86 loss to eventual bronze medalist Australia, with 22 points. In the third and last game of their group stage, Italy defeated Nigeria 80–71, and Fontecchio tied with Pajola for assists leader. Italy lost 75–84 to eventual silver medalist France in quarterfinals. In this game, Fontecchio was the leading scorer with 23 points. By the end of the tournament he was ranked among the players who "should be on NBA radars".{{cite web|title=Five players from the Olympics who should be on NBA radars|last=Urbina|first=Frank|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/five-players-olympics-nba-radars-111633645.html|publisher=Yahoo Sports|access-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809203123/https://sports.yahoo.com/five-players-olympics-nba-radars-111633645.html|archive-date=9 August 2021}}{{cite web|title=Mercato NBA: cinque giocatori finiti sotto attenzione dopo le partite della Olimpiadi|last=|first=|url=https://sport.sky.it/nba/2021/08/07/mercato-nba-talenti-olimpiadi-fontecchio#04|publisher=Sky Sport|access-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808094722/https://sport.sky.it/nba/2021/08/07/mercato-nba-talenti-olimpiadi-fontecchio|archive-date=8 August 2021}}

In 2023, Fontecchio represented the national team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup where Italy finished 8th overall. He averaged 18.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. In recognition of his individual play, Fontecchio was named to the All-FIBA World Cup Second Team.{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/news/world-cup-2023-all-second-team-best-coach-and-best-defensive-player-awards-revealed|title=World Cup 2023 All-Second Team, Best Coach and Best Defensive Player Awards revealed|publisher=FIBA|date=10 September 2023|access-date=15 September 2023}}

Personal life

Fontecchio's mother Malì Pomilio played for Italy and won two European titles for AS Vicenza in basketball, and Fontecchio considers her as an influence in his career choice.{{cite web |url=http://u20men.fibaeurope.com/en/coid_n,FsKn63HUgmhq6UQoXSi3.articleMode_on.html |title=Italy's Fontecchio in perpetual motion |last=Kontos |first=Dimitris |date=13 July 2014 |website=FIBA Europe |access-date=27 March 2015}} His father Daniele was a professional hurdler whilst his grandfather was also a basketball player, as is his older brother Luca who has played in the lower divisions after also coming through the youth ranks of Virtus.

Fontecchio moved to Bologna from his native Pescara at the age of 14, living in shared accommodation with other Virtus youth players.[http://www.gazzetta.it/Basket/23-10-2014/fontecchio-virtus-bologna-consolini-sanguettoli-under-19-90827433978.shtml?refresh_rum "Basketball, Fontecchio from the Virtus school to the A: "The Under 19 title: the most beautiful thing"."], La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan, 23 October 2014. Retrieved on 29 April 2015.{{in lang|it}}

He has one daughter, Bianca.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/simofonte_/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA%3D%3D |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=www.instagram.com}}

Career statistics

=NBA=

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

| 52 || 6 || 14.7 || .369 || .330 || .795 || 1.7 || .8 || .3 || .2 || 6.3

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2| {{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

| 50 || 34 || 23.2 || .450 || .391 || .800 || 3.5 || 1.5 || .6 || .4 || 8.9

| style="text-align:left;"| Detroit

| 16 || 9 || 30.3 || .479 || .426 || .846 || 4.4 || 1.8 || .9 || .3 || 15.4

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Detroit

| 75 || 0 || 16.5 || .402 || .335 || .833 || 2.9 || .9 || .4 || .2 || 5.9

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 193 || 49 || 18.9 || .419 || .363 || .820 || 2.8 || 1.1 || .5 || .2 || 7.6

=Euroleague=

| style="text-align:left;"|2016–17

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"|Olimpia

| 10 || 2 || 11.7 || .433 || .412 || .000 || 1.5 || .8 || .5 || .1 || 3.3 || 1.9

| style="text-align:left;"|2017–18

| 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0

| style="text-align:left;"|2018–19

| 5 || 0 || .8 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || {{sort|-1.2|–1.2}}

| style="text-align:left;"|2020–21

| style="text-align:left;"|Alba

| 29 || 24 || 23.4 || .476 || .388 || .886 || 3.4 || 1.6 || .9 || .2 || 10.6 || 10.1

| style="text-align:left;"|2021–22

| style="text-align:left;"|Baskonia

| 17 || 11 || 26.4 || .475 || .426 || .793 || 4.4 ||2.2 || 1.2 || .1 || 11.9 || 13.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 63 || 37 || 19.8 || .470 || .400 || .844 || 3.0 || 1.4 || .8 || .2 || 8.6 || 8.4