Verona Basket Roster Moves: Veteran Forward Mike Tobey Officially Joins the Team

Tezenis Verona pulls off a major coup by signing center Mike Tobey, effectively completing its roster for the 2026–27 season. Here is the official statement from the Gialloblù club: “Tezenis Verona is pleased to announce that it has signed a one-year contract with Mike Tobey, a 213 cm American center with Slovenian citizenship, born in Monroe, New York, on October 10, 1994. A player with extensive experience at the highest levels of European basketball, Tobey arrives in Verona after spending two years in the Liga ACB with Gran Canaria. Throughout his career, he has played for Valencia, Barcelona, and Red Star Belgrade, as well as the Slovenian national team.

Tobey began his college career at the University of Virginia, where he played for the Cavaliers from 2012 to 2016. After finishing his NCAA career, he turned professional in the United States, signing with the Charlotte Hornets and playing the 2016–17 season between the NBA and the NBA G League with the Greensboro Swarm.

In March 2017, he moved to Spain, beginning a long stint in the Liga ACB with Valencia Basket. After the first part of his time with Valencia—with whom he won the Liga ACB in 2017—he played for Tenerife during the 2017–18 season, winning the Intercontinental Cup with them, before returning to Valencia in the summer of 2018. With the Spanish club, he won the EuroCup in 2019, establishing himself in the following years as one of the most reliable big men in Spain’s top league. In total, during his time with Valencia, he also competed in the EuroLeague, playing more than 50 games. In 2022, he was signed by Barcelona, with whom he played the 2022–23 season in the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, winning the national title. The following year, he moved to Serbia to play for Red Star Belgrade, with whom he won the Serbian league title, the Serbian Cup, and the Adriatic League during the 2023–24 season.

In the summer of 2024, he returned to Spain, signing with Gran Canaria, for whom he played in the Liga ACB, the EuroCup, and the Basketball Champions League. Last season, Tobey finished the Liga ACB campaign averaging 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 32 games. Throughout his European career, Tobey has also played for the Slovenian national team after obtaining citizenship in 2021. With Slovenia, he competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 and 2025 European Championships, and the 2023 World Championships. At the Tokyo Olympics, he helped Slovenia finish in fourth place, averaging 13.7 points and 10.5 rebounds.

Mike Tobey (player): “I’m really excited to join this organization. Looking at the roster, I’m confident we’ll be competitive in Serie A. I know the club has a great history, and I hope that this year we’ll be able to write an important new chapter together.”

Alessandro Bolognesi (Sports Director): “Mike is a highly experienced and distinguished player who has built a remarkable career at the highest levels of European basketball. We’re confident he’ll bring his knowledge of the game, skill, and leadership to our frontcourt, putting all the experience he’s gained throughout his career at the team’s disposal. His arrival represents a valuable addition, both on and off the court, and we’re happy to welcome him to Verona.”

Alessandro Ramagli (Head Coach): “We’re thrilled to finalize our roster with the signing of Mike Tobey. He’s a player with a very long history in Europe—ten seasons spent almost entirely in Spain, always on top-tier teams, where he’s won numerous titles and gained a wealth of experience. He knows how to win, and that will be crucial for us. Beyond the statistics, he’ll bring that extra something in terms of attitude and mindset—qualities we’ll need to pursue our goals.

It’s clear that the goals we’ve set for ourselves are different from those Mike has pursued throughout his career, but an athlete of his caliber, together with his teammates, will be able to provide the team with the tools needed to tackle the season as effectively as possible and achieve the club’s goals.”