Gianluca Basile


Gianluca Basile is an Italian former professional basketball player. At a height of 1.92 m tall and a weight of 95 kg, he mainly played at the shooting guard position. He is considered to be one of the best 1990s and 2000s era Italian basketball players. He won the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, and the gold medal at the 1999 EuroBasket. He was also the captain of the senior men's Italian national team.

Professional career

Basile played four years with Italian club Pallacanestro Reggiana, and seven years with Fortitudo Bologna, with whom he won two Italian League championships, as the team's captain. In 2005, he moved to Spanish club FC Barcelona. In July 2011, he signed a two-year deal with Italian club Pallacanestro Cantù.
On July 6, 2012, Italian club Emporio Armani Milano, officially announced the signing of Basile, to a one-year contract. His contract with the team expired on June 30, 2013, and he became a free agent.
He finished his career with Italian club Orlandina Basket, and last played in the 2015–16 season.

National team career

Basile was the leader of the senior men's Italian national basketball team that won the silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, which was the best result for Italy since they took the silver medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics. He also helped Italy beat Team USA, by a score of 95-78, by scoring 25 points in a pre-Olympic friendly game against the US in 2004. His medals with the Italian national team also include a gold medal at the EuroBasket 1999, a bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2003, and a silver medal at the 1997 Mediterranean Games.

Player profile

Basile excelled in the role of shooting guard, or point forward, and was a very effective three-point shooter. He invented and named the "tiro ignorante", a three-point shot taken under difficult conditions, and which would surprise his opponents.

EuroLeague career statistics

†Denotes seasons in which Basile's team won the EuroLeague

Honors and awards

Fortitudo Bologna