By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Marco Belinelli is ready to leave the NBA after 13 seasons to return to Virtus Bologna, the move was reported by La Gazzetta Dello Sport and confirmed by the team Thursday.
Per the report, no NBA proposals were convincing enough for the 34-year-old veteran so he opted to return home, as the deal has been finalized in the past few hours. The deal will be valid through June 30, 2023, per Paolo Di Domizio.
Belinelli, a 2014 NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, made his pro debut with the Italian team in the Seria A at the age of 16 and returns home after a long and successful career overseas with several NBA clubs.
The veteran guard/forward was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors where he spent the first two seasons of his NBA career, before moving to Toronto in 2009-10. Prior to his successful run with the Spurs he’s played for the Hornets and the Bulls, while he joined Sacramento Kings in 2015.
After returning to Hornets in 2016, Belinelli moved to the Hawks in 2017-18 before being reunited with the Spurs for the 2018-19 season.