Simone Fontecchio: Detroit Pistons Embracing Talent from Around the World
Seven players from countries other than the United States played for the Pistons during the 2023-24 season, highlighting basketball’s global reach. Two years ago, Simone Fontecchio was considered a young EuroLeague veteran at his peak.
The Utah Jazz signed Simone Fontecchio to a two-year contract in 2022 after acquiring him from Spain’s ACB, which is known as the top domestic league. As the February trade deadline approached, Simone Fontecchio became a hot topic among fans due to the Jazz being cautious of a future salary cap issue and his impending two-year contract coming to an end.
Gabriele Procida is the prospect the Jazz received from the Pistons in the Simone Fontecchio trade.
He is a player to keep an eye on for sure.https://t.co/59pUFCvmWY pic.twitter.com/XM30U65kHN
— Art (@ArtTakesNote) May 13, 2024
Simone Fontecchio With Pistons
In his first game playing for the Pistons, Simone Fontecchio had no practice but still managed to score 20 points and get nine rebounds coming off the bench. He quickly blended in and won over the fans at Little Caesars Arena with his hard work and skill in shooting 3-pointers. He is expected to become a restricted free agent, so it is very likely that Simone Fontecchio will be wearing a Pistons uniform on the first night of October.
Simone Fontecchio in 13 games since getting traded to the Pistons:
15.2 PPG
49% FG
43% 3P on 6 attempts
84% FT
4.0 RPG
2.0 APG
1.0 SPGHuge steal for Detroit pic.twitter.com/KEvNe3NESR
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) March 13, 2024
Simone Fontecchio’s strong three-point shooting and defensive tenacity were crucial factors in the Pistons’ successful stretch of games, but unfortunately his season was cut short by a toe injury four weeks before it ended. Even though he is a restricted free agent, it is highly anticipated that Fontecchio will return to Detroit for the 2024-25 season.
Fontecchio is just as successful whether he starts or enters the game as a substitute, playing a significant role in the rotation as a valuable player who complements Cade Cunningham or provides stability for the bench group. At the age of 28 and with two NBA seasons already completed, Fontecchio is expected to have his peak seasons ahead of him. While the 3-point shot will continue to be important to Fontecchio’s worth, he demonstrated upon joining the Pistons that there is significant potential in his ability to drive to the basket.