Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio put together a record-breaking performance for Italy in EuroBasket group stage play Sunday.
The 6-foot-8 wing scored 39 points — breaking Italy’s all-time EuroBasket scoring record, previously held by Andrei Bargnani (36 PTS; 2011) — in Italy’s 96-79 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday.
Fontecchio’s 39 points came on 13-of-20 shooting and 7-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. Additionally, Fontecchio also hauled down eight rebounds with three assists and one steal in 37 minutes.
The Heat acquired Fontecchio, 29, earlier this summer in the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade.
Sunday’s performance comes on the heels of two suboptimal shooting performances from the three-year NBA veteran. In his first two group stage games, he made just one of his 10 long-range attempts, averaging nine points and 4.5 rebounds on a ghastly 36.7 percent true shooting.
Fontecchio is expected to enter the 2025-26 as one of the Heat’s best shooters — alongside Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic and Andrew Wiggins, among others. It’s very encouraging to see him bounce back after a rough start with a very strong performance on the international stage.
Fontecchio may be a fringe rotation player. Though he provides something they can use: Shooting. He struggled last season, shooting 33.5 percent from deep.
Fontecchio shot 37.5 percent from beyond the arc in his first two NBA seasons (40.1 3P% on 5.1 3PA in ’23-24) and shot a combined 41.5 percent from 3-point range in his final three seasons overseas.
Italy is tied for second place in Group C at 2-1 with two games left. The top-four teams from each group advance.
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In that picture of Simone at the top, he resembles Bowser, and I will give credit to anyone who knows who the heck I am talking about.
Sha Na Na
Haha, we have a winner!
I knew it but didn’t want didn’t answer because HHHforlife might have thought I posted and answered it using two different aliases.
Bowser
Spaghetti time!!!!
and pizza!
Wow, that kind of output can’t be underestimated. This guy has more potential than perhaps many of us realized. Very happy for Simone.
Yay for Fontecchio!
PRESEASON STARTS 4 WEEKS FROM TOMORROW!!!
DATE/EVENT
September 29, 2025 Media Day:
September 30, 2025 Training Camp Starts
PRESEASON GAMES (Oct 4-17, 2025)
Oct 4: Magic (in Puerto Rico)
Oct 6: Bucks
Oct 8: Spurs
Oct 12: @ Magic
Oct 13: @ Hawks
Oct 17: Grizzlies
SEASON OPENER
Oct 22: @ Magic
4 weeks still?! lol
He’s a luxury who Miami can bring in off the bench during the season. He appears to be the type of player who can be used when quick offense is needed. If he is hot you play him. If he isn’t you take him out. He is not a good defender, (similar to Robinson) so he will need to be surrounded by good defensive players/part of a good team defensive scheme.
N
I totally agree with your detailed and well supported response.