Italian basketball legend Marco Belinelli has officially announced his retirement at the age of 39 through a statement on his social media accounts. Renowned as the first Italian player to win an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, Belinelli’s career has profoundly influenced the sport in Italy and paved the way for future generations of players.
A Stellar Career in Basketball
Marco Belinelli is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian basketball players of all time. Although his international career with the national team did not achieve significant fame, his professional journey serves as an inspiration for young athletes aspiring to excel in basketball. On August 18, 2025, Belinelli made headlines by announcing his retirement from professional basketball.
As a prominent figure in Italian basketball, Belinelli was known for his exceptional shooting skills, particularly as part of the Spurs’ championship-winning roster in 2014. His career is characterized by several notable milestones and achievements.
Early Years and NBA Journey
Belinelli began his basketball journey with Virtus Bologna, where he joined the professional team at just 16 years old. However, due to a severe financial crisis, he was forced to move to Bologna’s rival team, Fortitudo Bologna. It was here that he shone brightly, leading the team to an Italian championship in 2005 at the age of 19, which caught the attention of NBA scouts.
He was selected by the Golden State Warriors as the 18th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, following Andrea Bargnani. Belinelli spent three seasons with the Warriors before moving to the New Orleans Hornets. His career had its ups and downs, with stops at the Chicago Bulls and a significant tenure with the Spurs. Belinelli established himself as a reliable three-point shooter, concluding his NBA career with an impressive 37.6% shooting from beyond the arc, including a peak of 41.4% in 2011.
As a member of the iconic 2014 Spurs team, Belinelli made history as the first Italian player to secure an NBA championship, a remarkable achievement. After his stint in San Antonio, he played for teams such as Sacramento, Toronto, and Philadelphia before returning to Italy in 2020, where he rejoined Virtus Bologna. His return proved fruitful as he led the team to win the EuroCup in 2022 and two national championships in 2021 and 2025, culminating in a perfect retirement from the sport.
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