By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Youngster Gabriele Procida has signed a three-year contract to join Alba Berlin, the team announced Friday.
Procida, 20, was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 36th overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft, held a couple of weeks ago in Brooklyn. His NBA rights were shifted to the Detroit Pistons on draft night.
“I am very excited to join Alba. I chose Alba because I like their program and the project for me. For this reason, I want to thank the club for the big opportunity,” said the newcomer, “About Berlin, I heard very good things. I think it will be easy for me to adjust to the new situation. I would like to send a big hello to the fans because I know there is a lot of passion there. I can’t wait to see the Mercedes-Benz Arena full to cheer us. I’ve heard only great things about the club. So, I know the amazing facilities and a super organization that takes care of the players. For those reasons, I can’t wait to be there.”
Building up toward becoming a draft pick and from there the first summer addition for the Berlin outfit, Procida turned pro at 17 as a member of Acqua S.Bernardo Cantu and was capped at the senior level with the Italian national team during the 2020-21 season. Switching to fellow Italian team Fortitudo Kigili Bologna for the 2021-22 season upped his total of appearances in Italy’s LBA Serie A to 62 with an attached production of 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.6 assists, and 0.3 blocks per contest.
At the junior level, he competed in a couple of editions of the Adidas Next Generation Tournament and represented Italy in the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship and the 2019 U18 FIBA European Championship.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google