Alessandro Gentile, new challenge in Scafati
Alessandro Gentile in Scafati
Givova Scafati announced the signing of a two-year agreement with Italian basketball player Alessandro Gentile, who will then wear the yellow-blue jersey for the next two championships.
Son of Ferdinando and brother of Stefano (as of 2018 signed for Dinamo Sassari), Alessandro is a guard-winger of 2 meters in height and 100 kg in weight. He has distinct qualities as a dribbler and penetrator, with the ability to play behind the basket as well, thanks to his powerful physique. He has a strong character and a tenacious personality, which have made him a complete and versatile player, always willing to take on important responsibilities.
A native of Campania (in fact, he was born in Maddaloni on Nov. 12, 1992), Alessandro Gentile received his basketball training in the youth teams of Virtus Bologna and Pallacanestro Treviso, with which he won the under-19 scudetto in 2011 and made his first-team debut in 2009/2010, while the following season, thanks to his 9-point average, he earned a call-up to the A Series All Star Game, as well as the title of best under-22 in the league. On December 17, 2011, he was signed by Olimpia Milano, debuting a few days later in the Euroleague. In the summer of 2013 he was named captain, becoming the youngest athlete to receive the sash in Olimpia’s history. During his time on Lombard soil, he put up important numbers, with point averages above double figures. His excellent performance also allowed him to be selected in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In December 2016, he ended his experience in Milan after winning two scudetti (2013-2014 and 2015- 2016), an Italian Cup (2016) and an Italian Supercup (2016) and continued the season first on loan to Panathinaikos, with which he won the Greek Cup, and then to Simone Pianigiani’s Hapoel Jerusalem, contributing to the conquest of the national title. Returning to Italy, he signed in 2017/2018 for Virtus Bologna (16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists average), while in October 2018 he moved to Estudiantes Madrid (15.2 points and 4.1 rebounds average), then returned in 2020/2021 (11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists average) after a one-year stint at Aquila Trento (13.9 points, 4 rebounds and 2.6 assists average). In June 2021, he was signed by Openjobmetis Varese (14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists), where he remained until the following January, when he signed a contract with Happy Casa Brindisi (11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists average), his last experience in the league. Midway through last season, after an accidental injury, he was signed by Apu Udine (A2 series), an experience that ended with a 15-point, 7.5-rebound and 4.1-assist average.
Equally important with respect to his career in club teams was Alessandro Gentile’s career in the national team, the protagonist of an important path, which began in 2007 with the Under 16 and ended in 2019, passing through the silver medal at the 2011 under 20 European Championship in Spain. As many as 81 are his appearances in the senior national team for a total of 852 points, between World Cups, European Championships (and related qualifiers) and friendly tournaments.
“I am very happy to return to the top league and to be able to do so in an ambitious club like Scafati. I want to thank patron Longobardi and coach Sacripanti for the trust and esteem shown. I am at the complete disposal of the group to try to achieve the goals the club has set for itself. I can’t wait to start and meet my new teammates,” Gentile’s first words.
