Luigi Datome


Luigi "Gigi" Datome is an Italian professional basketball player for Olimpia Milano of the Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroLeague. Standing at, he plays at the small forward and power forward positions. Datome was an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection in 2016.

Professional career

Early years

Born in Montebelluna to Sardinian parents from Olbia, Datome moved to Olbia in Sardinia, where he started playing junior basketball. He joined Montepaschi Siena of the first division Serie A in 2003. He played three and a half seasons for Montepaschi before joining Scafati Basket in February 2007.

Virtus Roma (2008–2013)

In 2008, Datome signed with Virtus Roma where he went on to earn the league's Best Under 22 player award for the 2008–09 season. In 2012–13, he was named the Lega Basket Serie A MVP, after averaging 16.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Detroit Pistons (2013–2015)

On July 16, 2013, Datome signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Detroit Pistons. On December 23, 2013, he scored a season-high 13 points in a 115–92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On January 14, 2015, Datome was assigned by the Pistons to the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League. On January 20, he was recalled by the Pistons.

Boston Celtics (2015)

On February 19, 2015, Datome was traded, along with Jonas Jerebko, to the Boston Celtics, in exchange for Tayshaun Prince. On April 15, in the Celtics' final regular season game, he earned his first career NBA start; Datome responded with a career- and game-high 22 points, leading Boston to a narrow victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Fenerbahçe (2015–2020)

On July 14, 2015, Datome signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club Fenerbahçe. In his first season with the team, Datome won the Turkish Cup with a 67–65 win over Darüşşafaka. Fenerbahçe also reached the final game of the 2016 Euroleague Final Four, but fell short of winning the EuroLeague championship, after an overtime 96–101 loss to CSKA Moscow. Over 29 EuroLeague games, he averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. At the end of the season, Fenerbahçe also won the Turkish League championship.
On July 5, 2017, Datome signed a three-year contract extension with Fenerbahçe. In 2017–18 EuroLeague, Fenerbahçe made it to the 2018 EuroLeague Final Four, its fourth consecutive Final Four appearance. Eventually, they lost to Real Madrid with 80–85 in the final game. Over 35 EuroLeague games, he averaged 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
On July 2, 2019, Datome signed another contract extension with the Turkish club through the 2021-22 season. On June 30, 2020, Datome and the Turkish club parted ways after five quite successful seasons.

Olimpia Milano (2020–present)

On June 30, 2020, Datome signed with Olimpia Milano of the Lega Basket Serie A.

Career statistics

†Denotes season in which Datome's team won the EuroLeague

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

EuroLeague

National team

National team career

Datome played for the senior men's Italian national team at EuroBasket 2007, EuroBasket 2009 qualification, EuroBasket 2011, and EuroBasket 2013.
He was also called up to the squad that would take part in EuroBasket 2015 to start on 5 September.
After injuring a muscle during Italy's second game of the tournament against Iceland, Datome had to pull out of the rest of the tournament.