Italian Serie A 2012-2013

[Jazz]

Another rumoured player for Siena is Marko Keselj.

Also, was there any reaction in Italy to Drew Nicholas signing for CSKA?

[boyd20]

Another rumoured player for Siena is Marko Keselj.

Also, was there any reaction in Italy to Drew Nicholas signing for CSKA?

Yes, they're eyeing Keselj too. In any case, next addition should be a comeback, as Benjamin Eze officially parted ways with Milano and most sources say he's headed back to Siena.

As for Nicholas, not much buzz. I think he's past his prime, but playing as a shooting specialist in limited minutes he still should be a quality option.

[boyd20]

- Great signing for Varese that inked talented young PF Achille Polonara (Teramo). They also announced the signing of Bryant Dunston, they're filling the roster nicely. They will now add an American forward who's expected to be the team's main scoring option.

- Cremona signed tiny PG Aaron Johnson, who had a very good rookie season in LegaDue with Ostuni (14.1 ppg, 4.6 apg). It seems they're about to add experienced SG Lance Harris, last year in Ukraine (Halychyna; 16.3 ppg).

- Roma is interested in PG/SG Phil Goss (Varese).

- Virtus Bologna about to renew Angelo Gigli's contract with a multi-yr deal and rumored to be in advanced talks with Mason Rocca. They're also interested in Luigi Datome, who's under contract with Roma but earns way too much for them and may leave. Venezia (if Diawara opts out and leaves) and Valencia are interested too. Virtus Bologna is still negotiating with SG Matt Janning, who was rumored to be close to Ucam Murcia, but in the end he did not sign therefore he's still available. Estudiantes is interested in him too.

[boyd20]

- After signing Aaron Johnson and Lance Harris (both official), Cremona is close to agree to terms with SG Jarrius Jackson, who comes from Veroli, LegaDue. Had a terrific season a couple of years ago, but was re-signed by Veroli, but his last campaign (14.1 ppg) was not as good as the previous one, although he played very well in the playoffs. It's rumored Cremona has signed another player, but no official statements so far.

- Montegranaro, that has the lowest budget in the league, confirmed PF Valerio Mazzola and is close to welcome back PF Valerio Amoroso (Teramo; 11.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and close to sign SG Daniele Cinciarini (Cremona; 10.3 ppg). They signed big man Zach Andrews, who comes from D-League (L.A. D-Fenders 9.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg), a relatively unkwnown player who's likely to be one of the cheapest foreigners in years. Described as a great athlete, who was close to sign for the Lakers, he only played in Spanish lower divisions, Turkish TBL2 and Japan so far...They say he's got potential and he's consistently improving, who knows...

- Several sources report Avellino is about to sign G/F Jeremy Richardson, who also holds a Georgian passport. Played in Valencia a couple of years ago, last season he was in Georgia (BC Armia; 15.3 ppg). They're also rumored to be in talks with SF Micah Downs (Manresa 11.3 ppg).

- Siena is very interested in C Miroslav Raduljica (Partizan). The player still belongs to Efes Pilsen and Karsiyaka is also eyeing him. Apparently there will be no deal with Josh Akognon, as they moved their target on other guys like Malcolm Delaney, Derwin Kitchen (they would have to pay a quite huge buyout, though) and Corey Fisher (who may get a Georgian passport, in that case he would be signed). Also, it seems that they are not so convinced about Aubrey Coleman, who may not arrive in the end.

- Virtus Bologna is about to sign veteran C Richard Mason Rocca (Milano). For the G spot they keep eyeing Matt Janning and Terrico White.

- Roma is interested in PG Richard Mickey McConnell (Jesi).

- Caserta is in talks with PF DeShawn Sims (Maine Red Claws).

[Jazz]

It's interesting how LegaDue seems to really feed Lega A with players, especially Americans. A lot of the top flight Italian teams seem to be looking at or have already signed players who played LegaDue last season. I guess signing a player from LegaDue means they have played at a good level, gained experience of the Italian game and will be better adaped to Italian culture. The teams themselves probably know more about the players there, it will have been easier to have had them scouted and to track their progress. We also see players such as Kyle Hines who didn't go to Lega A but progressed to other big leagues.

I know teams will look everywhere for players but is LegaDue a particularly good place for Lega A teams to find talent? Is this happening more this summer than in the past?

[boyd20]

It's interesting how LegaDue seems to really feed Lega A with players, especially Americans. A lot of the top flight Italian teams seem to be looking at or have already signed players who played LegaDue last season. I guess signing a player from LegaDue means they have played at a good level, gained experience of the Italian game and will be better adaped to Italian culture. The teams themselves probably know more about the players there, it will have been easier to have had them scouted and to track their progress. We also see players such as Kyle Hines who didn't go to Lega A but progressed to other big leagues.

I know teams will look everywhere for players but is LegaDue a particularly good place for Lega A teams to find talent? Is this happening more this summer than in the past?

Terrell McIntyre, Romain Sato, Antonio Granger, David Moss, Andre Hutson, Drew Nicholas, Kenny Gregory, Brad Miller, Marc Salyers, James Singleton, David Hawkins, Preston Shumpert, Kiwane Garris, Josh Powell, David Logan, Keith Langford...just to name a few that used to play in LegaDue before enjoying a successful career in Euroleague or even in the NBA.

Many players from LegaDue are getting signed by Serie A teams, for basically three reasons:

- teams are allowed to sign more American players and this obviously creates more opportunities to players that performed well in LegaDue;
- most teams have cut their finances, so LegaDue offers a wide bunch of good players whose cost is not that high;
- teams look for reliable guys, as you said LegaDue works a sort of a development league for them, as they have the chance to prove their skills and at the same time adjust to life in Italy. If they manage to impress, sooner or later they will get an opportunity to compete in Serie A and earn more money.

The quality of foreign players in LegaDue has always been very high, as most of them would be capable to play in most of the other leagues in Europe and that is something you can't say for other 2nd divisions.

Cremona seems to embody this kind of philosophy. They have cut their budget which is among the lowest in the league and through their coach (Attilio Caja) they stated they will build almost the whole roster on LegaDue players, so...

besides Aaron Johnson, Jarrius Jackson, Lance Harris, they signed Tuukka Kotti (Imola) and they're about to announce Shawn Huff (Forlì) and Mareks Jurevicus (Ostuni).

One more news: Biella is going to announce the signing of PG Russell Robinson (Trabzonspor). It's rumored he's going to get a European passport which would allow them to sign more American players if they want to.

[boyd20]

- Virtus Bologna finally signed experienced C Richard Mason Rocca. The player should earn around 120.000 euro per season (1+1 deal), which is less than of the salary he used to earn in Milano. They confirmed to be in talks with C Stephane Lasme (Obradoiro) and interested in G/F Chris Warren (Cedevita).

- Brindisi signed young C Jerai Grant. He's had a good rookie campaign in Australia, playing for the Sydney Kings (11.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg).

- Varese signed SG/SF Erik Rush. He's from USA but also holds a Swedish passport which allows him to play for team Sweden. Had a good rookie season in Cyprus, playing for Apollon (14.1 ppg, 4 rpg). He signed a 2-yr deal and will start from the bench.

- Cremona signed experienced Latvian SF Janis Porzingis (Valmiera). He already played in Serie A (2006-2007) and eventually had experiences in LegaDue (a short stint with Brindisi and then played 2 years with Pistoia), but he even played in Italian C2 (6th league!) in 2009-2010. Played in Austria and Hungary in his early years and has been a member of Latvian NT every now and then. Quite an odd career, but all in all a very surprising signing since nobody expected to see him back in Italy...Cremona has a very low budget. They are now considering Croatian C Andrija Stipanovic (Caserta) and Fabio Ruini (Reggio Emilia) as a backup PG.

- Caserta is interested in Croatian PF Damjan Rudez (Cedevita).

- Biella is considering several rookies, PF Jamychal Green, SG Charlie Westbrook, PF Julian Mavunga among them.

- Cantù seems to be close to agree to terms with Jeff Brooks (Jesi), but meanwhile they're considering other options such as Alex Acker and Brian Asbury.

[boyd20]

More signings...

- Varese completed the roster adding SG Adrian Banks (Elitzur Netanya), top scorer of the Israeli League (21.5 ppg, 3.2 apg).

Mike Green - Andrea De Nicolao
Adrian Banks - Erik Rush
Ebi Ere - Bruno Cerella
Dusan Sakota - Achille Polonara
Bryant Dunston - Janar Talts

- As it was rumored in the previous days, Cremona signed Finnish international Shawn Huff (Forlì; 15.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg).

- Montegranaro signed PG Ronald Steele, last season in Turkey with Tofas (9.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 42.1% 3p).

- As anticipated a few days ago, PG Russell Robinson, who signed with Biella but still has to be announced, will play as a Cotonou-player through a Guinean passport.

- Ksystof Lavrinovic said he doesn't want to leave Siena and that he's close to agree to terms to stay for a lower salary.

[boyd20]

- Caserta signed American C Kyle Visser (NY Phantoms; 11 ppg, 5.3 rpg).

- Montegranaro signed Canadian/British SG Kyle Johnson, last season in Cyprus and Greece. He's a member of British national team. They also signed American PF Christian Burns, last season in Israel (Elitzur Netanya; 14.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.4 apg).

- Roma signed Hungarian C Peter Lorant, last season in ACB (Lagun ARO GBC; 3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg). He will be the backup C. Meanwhile, they confirmed the deal with SF/PF Bobby Jones.

[boyd20]

Finally Cantù signed F Jeff Brooks (Jesi) with a 1+1 deal. An interesting move, a player who had a very good rookie campaign (17 ppg, 7 rpg, 62% 2p, 41% 3p, 77% ft), who has the potential to turn into a star, especially if he will be capable to switch to the SF spot. Cantù will likely use him at both forward positions.

Avellino agreed to terms with three players: SG Dwight Hardy (Pistoia, mvp of LegaDue last season, 22.6 ppg), SF Jeremy Richardson (BC Armia; 15.3 ppg) who also holds a Georgian passport, and G/F Coby Karl (Montegranaro; 9.6 ppg). Unfortunately they're having problems with Marques Green, as he had a serious injury playing for Macedonia and they're trying to sign him for a lower salary. Currently the team's offer doesn't match the player's demands.

After long negotiations, newly promoted Reggio Emilia finally confirmed PG Dawan Robinson (18 ppg, 52% 2p, 41% 3p, 77% ft), who turned down offers from LegaDue and ACB to continue with his team. He had a stellar season and was asking big time money to remain, but unfortunately he broke his arm in a car accident and then was forced to lower his demands. In the end Reggio Emilia signed him for around 200.000 dollars for 1 season. They're now looking for a PF/C and the main candidate appears to be experienced USA/Swiss big man Greg Brunner, last season in Cantù. The player looks for a lot of money and it won't be an easy deal.

Caserta brought back C Andrea Michelori from Siena. He will form a nice duo with recently signed Kyle Visser.

Brindisi looking for a PG/SG to seal the roster. Could it be Malcolm Delaney (Chalon)? Jacob Pullen (Biella) and Derwin Kitchen (Maccabi Rishon) are also on the list.

Biella is interested in shooting guard Scottie Reynolds (Antalya).

Roma is eyeing PG David Holston (Artland Dragons) and they are trying to confirm C Jarvis Varnado.

[boyd20]

- Bo McCalebb will move to Fenerbahce that is also trying to ink David Andersen, who has offers from Real Madrid too.

Apparently, Siena is very close to put pen on paper with Marcelus Kemp (Besiktas).

- Avellino is about to announce the deal with Montenegrin F Nikola Dragovic (Spartak SP). Had a very promising rookie campaign in 2010-2011 but missed most of the following season due to injuries. If healthy, it could be a nice signing, the guy is young and skilled.

Meanwhile Avellino is considering various names for the PG spot (Jacob Pullen among them) and is in talks with Nigerian PF Ndudi Ebi. If he doesn't sign, they may consider veteran Austrian C Benjamin Ortner (Treviso).

- Biella is close to sign rookie PF Julian Mavunga (Miami Oh).

- Caserta agreed to terms with SG Eric Chatfield (Paris Levallois), top scorer of the French league last season (19.6 ppg, 4.2 apg).

- Reggio Emilia inked experienced USA/Swiss C Greg Brunner (Cantù; 9.3 ppg + 6 rpg). He signed a 1+1 deal.

- Pesaro interested in C Andrea Crosariol (Roma), who's under contract with Roma but will likely leave.

[Jazz]

What do you think about Massimo Bulleri going to Scafati? I know he already played for other teams but he will be forever linked to Treviso.

[boyd20]

What do you think about Massimo Bulleri going to Scafati? I know he already played for other teams but he will be forever linked to Treviso.

Not particularly stunned, although Bullo would still be a quality option at Serie A level for around 20 minutes per game. But most teams have cut their budget and just couldn't afford to sign him. He will earn more in LegaDue, playing for a team that will likely compete for the promotion.

What you say is right, he will always be remembered by his fans in Treviso, but I expect him to bounce back in Serie A next year at 36 with Scafati.

[Jazz]

So Siena comfirmed Marcelus Kemp and are linked with Matt Janning. They are being linked with a lot of Americans, especially those with Lega experience, but could Janning make the step up from Casale?

[boyd20]

So Siena comfirmed Marcelus Kemp and are linked with Matt Janning. They are being linked with a lot of Americans, especially those with Lega experience, but could Janning make the step up from Casale?

Dunno. Currently, he's young and a big-time shooter, but I think they see something more in him and expect him to develop into a more complete player. In any case, he won't be overwhelmed by pressure as he will be a role player in the beginning. Before choosing Siena he turned down offers from Italy (Virtus Bologna), Spain (Estudiantes, Murcia) and China (Shanghai).

It seems that Siena is thinking to let Kangur go and Lavrinovic - who said he he would stay only a few weeks ago - may joing his twin brother Darjus in Kaunas.
So, Siena could ink Miroslav Raduljica and/or Ike Diogu.

Other moves :

- Roma signed rookie PG Jordan Taylor (Wisconsin).
- Biella sealed the roster adding rookie PF Julian Mavunga (Miami OH), rookie SG Ramone Moore (Temple) and PF Craig Brackins (Philadelphia 76ers/Maine Red Claws)
- Sassari roster's done with the signing of veteran SF Marvis "Bootsy" Thornton (Siena).
- Brindisi signed PG Scottie Reynolds (Antalya).
- as anticipated in the previous weeks, Avellino added SF/PF Nikola Dragovic (Spartak SP) and PF/C Ndudi Ebi (Cotonou player), who played in Lebanon and China last year. They're now in advanced talks with Mustafa Shakur (Casale) for the PG spot.
- Reggio Emilia signed SG/SF Mladen Jeremic (Hemofarm).
- Cremona signed Croatian C Andrija Stipanovic (Caserta), who will have the staring job.
- Virtus Bologna signed PF Steven Smith (Panathinaikos).

Also, Montegranaro managed to extend the deal with PG Fabio Di Bella, who accepted a much lower salary and veteran Lithuanian PG Tomas Delininkaitis, currently a free agent has been offered to Avellino.