Luigi Datome facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Luigi Datome

Datome with Milano in 2021
Personal information
Born	(1987-11-27) 27 November 1987 (age 37) Montebelluna, Italy
Listed height	2.03 m (6 ft 7.92 in)
Listed weight	101 kg (223 lb)
Career information
NBA Draft	2009 / Undrafted
Pro career	2003–2023
Career history
2003–2007	Montepaschi Siena
2007–2008	Scafati
2008–2013	Virtus Roma
2013–2015	Detroit Pistons
2015	Boston Celtics
2015–2020	Fenerbahçe
2020–2023	Olimpia Milano
Career highlights and awards
2× EuroLeague 50–40–90 club (2018, 2019) EuroLeague champion (2017) All-EuroLeague Second Team (2016) 3× LBA champion (2004, 2022, 2023) LBA MVP (2013) LBA Finals MVP (2023) All-LBA First Team (2013) LBA Best Player Under-22 (2009) LBA All-Star (2011) 2× Italian Cup winner (2021, 2022) Italian Cup MVP (2021) 3× TBSL champion (2016–2018) TBSL Finals MVP (2016) 3× Turkish Cup winner (2016, 2019, 2020) 2× Turkish Cup Final MVP (2019, 2020) 2× Turkish Super Cup winner (2016, 2017) Turkish Super Cup MVP (2017) TBSL All-Star (2018)
Career NBA statistics
Points	188 (3.4 ppg)
Rebounds	75 (1.4 rpg)
Assists	20 (0.4 apg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Italy European U-20 Championship Bronze 2007 Italy European U-18 Championship Bronze 2005 Serbia and Montenegro

Luigi "Gigi" Datome (born November 27, 1987) is a former professional basketball player from Italy. He was known for playing as a small forward or power forward. Gigi, who stands at 2.03 meters (about 6 feet 8 inches) tall, was a very important player for many teams throughout his career. He even won the EuroLeague championship in 2017.

Gigi Datome's Basketball Journey

Starting Out in Italy

Gigi Datome was born in Montebelluna, Italy. His parents were from Olbia, a town in Sardinia. He moved to Olbia when he was young and started playing basketball there.

In 2003, when he was just 15, Gigi joined Montepaschi Siena, a top team in Italy's Serie A league. He played for Montepaschi Siena for three and a half years. In 2007, he moved to another Italian team, Scafati Basket.

Becoming a Star at Virtus Roma

In 2008, Datome signed with Virtus Roma. Here, he really started to shine. For the 2008–09 season, he was named the league's Best Under 22 player. This award goes to the best player under 22 years old.

In the 2012–13 season, Gigi was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Lega Basket Serie A. This means he was the best player in the entire league! He scored an average of 16.4 points and grabbed 5.6 rebounds per game that season.

Playing in the NBA: Detroit Pistons

On July 16, 2013, Gigi Datome took a big step in his career. He signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. The NBA is the top basketball league in the world, located in North America.

On December 23, 2013, he scored his highest points in an NBA game, getting 13 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time with the Pistons, he also played a few games for their minor league team, the Grand Rapids Drive.

Short Time with the Boston Celtics

In February 2015, Gigi was traded to the Boston Celtics, another famous NBA team. On April 15, 2015, he started his first NBA game. He played amazingly, scoring a career-high 22 points and helping the Celtics win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Success with Fenerbahçe in Turkey

After his time in the NBA, Gigi Datome moved to Turkey. On July 14, 2015, he signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahçe, a very strong team in Turkey.

In his first year with Fenerbahçe, Gigi helped them win the Turkish Basketball Cup. They also made it to the final game of the EuroLeague, which is the biggest basketball competition for clubs in Europe. They lost a very close game in overtime. That same season, Fenerbahçe also won the Turkish League championship.

Gigi continued to play well, and in 2017, he signed a new three-year contract with Fenerbahçe. In the 2016–17 season, he helped Fenerbahçe win the EuroLeague championship! This was a huge achievement. They also reached the EuroLeague Final Four for four years in a row.

On June 30, 2020, Gigi left Fenerbahçe after five very successful seasons.

Datome's retirement ceremony during the 2023–24 EuroLeague game between Fenerbahce and Olimpia Milan.

Returning to Italy with Olimpia Milano and Retirement

On June 30, 2020, Gigi Datome returned to Italy to play for Olimpia Milano in the Lega Basket Serie A.

On July 7, 2023, Gigi announced that he would retire from professional basketball. His very last game was for the Italian national team in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. In October 2023, Gigi was honored by Olimpia Milano and added to their Hall of Fame.

Playing for Italy's National Team

Gigi Datome was a key player for the senior men's Italian national team. He played in several important international tournaments, including:

• 2007 EuroBasket
• EuroBasket 2011
• 2013 EuroBasket
• 2015 EuroBasket (though he got injured and had to leave early)
• 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
• 2017 EuroBasket
• 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

His very last game as a professional player was for the Italian national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Italy played against Slovenia in that game.

See also

In Spanish: Luigi Datome para niños

• List of youngest EuroLeague players