Italbasket, Simone Fontecchio c'è but cannot train right away: clarification from FIP
The Italian Basketball Federation announced that on Sunday Simone Fontecchio joined the other summoned players at the disposal of Gianmarco Pozzecco in the training camp in Folgaria, Trentino. The Miami Heat athlete, however, will not be able to be involved in the Azzurri’s training for the time being, as specified in the Federation’s note.
“Despite the fact that his arrival was agreed with the FIP and the technical staff for July 30 – reads the statement -, the Heat winger has decided to move up the timetable, just as he did in 2023, in order to be part of the Azzurri group from the very first days. In compliance with the FIBA–NBA agreement that regulates the attendance and activities of NBA athletes with National Teams, Fontecchio will not be involved in training until July 30”.
Another few days of patience, then, for Fontecchio to get back on the court. The Abruzzese basketball player is aiming to rejoin the’final roster for EuroBasket 2025, after starring in past years in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021 due to Covid), Eurobasket 2022 and the 2023 World Championships.
The player will be a member of the team.
29 years old last Dec. 9, Simone Fontecchio has been active in the NBA since the 2022/2023 season, when he agreed with the Utah Jazz without going through the draft. Remaining in Salt Lake City until February 2024, he then accepted the challenge of the Detroit Pistons, with whom he qualified for the playoffs in the season just ended. Since July 7, he has been a player of the Miami Heat, who picked him up from Detroit in exchange for Duncan Robinson.
