Virtus extends veteran sharpshooter Belinelli

Virtus Segafredo Bologna retained the service one of Europe's most dangerous shooters, veteran guard Marco Belinelli, who signed a new three-year deal, the club announced on Friday.

Belinelli (1.96 meters, 37 years old) made 21 appearances off the bench last season, his first in the EuroLeague since 2006-07. He averaged 10.0 points on 40.7% three-point shooting for the season, including 13.2 points on 44.2% three-point shooting in games starting in Round 15. He finished the season ranked eighth with 2.1 triples made per game. Belinelli has played the last three seasons for Virtus, and has helped the team win the 2021 Italian League crown and the 2022 EuroCup championship.

Before joining Virtus in November 2020, Belinelli spent 13 consecutive seasons in the NBA. He played for Golden State, Toronto, New Orleans, Chicago, Sacramento, Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Antonio in that time. Belinelli scored 8,370 points in 860 games, having made 1,216 three-point shots in his career. He helped San Antonio win the NBA title in 2014, a year in which he also lifted the three-point shootout trophy at the All-Star Game.

Belinelli started his career with Virtus in the 2002-03 season and averaged 5.6 points in eight EuroLeague games. He also played for cross-town rival Fortitudo Bologna, which he helped to win the Italian League in 2005 and reach the EuroLeague championship game in 2004. Belinelli has also been a member of the Italian national team.