By Nikola Miloradovic & Johnny Askounis / info@eurohoops.net
One of the biggest names in Italian basketball, Danilo Gallinari has decided to retire from professional basketball.
The former 6th overall NBA draft pick, who spent 14 seasons in the NBA and amassed over 800 appearances including the playoffs, and a longtime standout for the Italian national team, felt it was the right moment to end his career — satisfied with everything he accomplished over more than two decades, from his early days with Olimpia Milano to his final stint with Vaqueros de Bayamón.
Speaking to the media during a global Zoom session following his announcement, Gallinari explained the process behind his decision.
“The process was fairly easy. I thought about quitting even after deciding to step away from the national team. After national team, I wanted to take my time. I had a lot of offers from around the world. It was exciting — I love traveling — and going to play in countries I had never been to is very exciting. But in the end, I was ready with my mind and body to call it a day,” Gallinari said.
Looking back, what would he advise his younger self?
“To listen to my body, learn more about my body — don’t just say yes to everything. When you are young and in the process of being drafted, they don’t consider what happened the season before. Since August of the previous year I never rested, flew to the States right after the playoffs. If I had told my coaches in Italy, I probably wouldn’t have had the problems and injuries I had. When you are young, you want to show what you can do, and my body wasn’t ready for that.”
Gallinari also spoke about his NBA journey.
“From the second year my confidence built up, and I realized I could be in the NBA for many years. We can all ask and fantasize about what it could have been, but that’s wasted time. I like to think about how beautiful the journey was. I am proud of giving everything that I had.”
Looking at the NBA today, Gallinari can be considered one of the European players who paved the way for the new generation now dominating the league.
“Americans were much better back then, but the European level is so much better now. We are producing talents of NBA level. It’s amazing to see the process. I’m a big fan of all the players — Giannis, Luka, Jokic. Americans need to step up; a lot of Europeans are in the MVP conversation every season.”
Among others, Danilo had a chance to play alongside Nikola Jokic when the Serbian center joined the Denver Nuggets in 2015. They spent two seasons together in Colorado.
“I didn’t see all this coming. By the end of the second season I saw he would be a good player, but I didn’t see ‘best in the world’ — and now he is, in my opinion. When you see younger guys coming in, it’s amazing to see the development, how he started and where he is now. Jamal and Nikola rising and becoming champions, Nikola the best player in the world — it’s amazing.”
Gallinari also spoke about the friendships he built during his career, particularly with Spanish greats Sergio Rodríguez and Rudy Fernández.
“Two of my best friends are Sergio and Rudy. I played in New York and Denver. I have great memories with them — we built a friendship that continues nowadays. I have a lot of stories with them, especially with Rudy, who did a lot of interviews in Spanish and didn’t want to speak too much English. He used to call me to translate, but now his English is much better.”
Gallinari shared more anecdotes about his time with Rudy.
“I remember when he played for Portland, I guarded him a lot. He ran a little faster, he was coming off screens and I had to chase him, and it was always a surprise that I was way taller but still able to keep up. I liked to cook pasta — Rudy came to my house in Denver once, and the portions were very small, I didn’t cook enough pasta for him, and he still complains about it,” Gallinari concluded.