By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna announced the acquisition of Rasheed Bello on Friday.
The Italian club finalized a multi-year agreement with an option for the 1.84-meter point guard, who arrives fresh off a legendary rookie professional season in Europe. Born in Chicago in 2003, the young playmaker transitions rapidly to the elite EuroLeague stage after playing for the Windrose Giants Antwerp in the BNXT League, Basketball Champions League, and FIBA Europe Cup.
With the Belgian squad, Bello had a historic year, averaging 16.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He famously dropped a career-high 41 points against Hubo Limburg United in December. His spectacular playmaking and relentless on-ball defense guided the team to a historic treble, capturing the Belgian championship, the Belgian Cup, and the BNXT League title. In the decisive Game 5 against Filou Oostende, he logged 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds to break their opponent’s 14-year title streak. This overtime victory earned him the Finals Most Valuable award, which followed a massive 23-point, 10-rebound performance earlier in the series. He previously experienced brief continental action, making three appearances in the BCL Qualification Rounds and six in the Europe Cup, tallying 15.5 points per contest.
𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎.
𝐴 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟.
Benvenuto in ⚪⚫ pic.twitter.com/wgvOW0QbZL— Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) July 3, 2026
Before taking his talents overseas, Bello built a reputation as an elite two-way guard in college. He played his first two seasons at NCAA Division II UW-Parkside, where he was named the 2022 GLIAC Freshman of the Year and later the Conference Player of the Year. He then transferred to NCAA Division I Purdue Fort Wayne, leading the Horizon League in steals and earning a First-Team selection as a senior.
Before bringing him in, Vu Nere added Bobi Klintman, Davide Casarin, and Tommaso Baldasso, while re-signing Daniel Hackett and Mouhamet Diouf, and hiring Alex Mumbru as the new head coach to launch their offseason moves.
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