Leonardo Bettiol returns to Italy and dons the red-and-white jersey

Leonardo Bettiol, a center born in 2002, will join Estra Pistoia Basket. The announcement was made by the club itself, which noted that Bettiol will wear the number 3 jersey under coach Franco Ciani. A young but already well-developed addition, fresh off a college career in the United States.

Born in Roncade, in the province of Treviso, Bettiol is a 6’10”, 240-pound big man capable of playing both with his back to the basket and facing the basket. Having come up through Treviso’s youth system, he took his first steps among the seniors during the 2020-2021 season with Rucker San Vendemiano, becoming a regular in the black-and-white team’s rotation.

The turning point, however, came with his move to the United States: three years at Abilene Christian University, where Bettiol carved out an increasing role until his junior season, which he finished with an average of 25.9 minutes and 13.1 points per game, while in 2025-2026 he chose to complete his college career at the University of Massachusetts, averaging 18.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and shooting 61.1% from the field.

These numbers have attracted the interest of several Italian clubs, including those in the top division, as well as a call-up to the senior national team by Luca Banchi for the summer window of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers. Pistoia is counting on him to add athleticism, interior presence, and scoring in the paint to a frontcourt that Ciani wants to make deeper and more versatile.