Vincenzo Esposito
Encyclopedia
Vincenzo Esposito is an Italian
former professional basketball
player. He is 1.94 m (6'4") tall and played as a shooting guard
. In the NBA, he is best known for playing with the Toronto Raptors
, for whom he averaged 3.9 points in 9.4 mins per game in the 30 games he played.
, where he played from 1984 to 1993, winning an Italian title in 1991 and an Italian National Cup in 1988. In 1993 he moved to Fortitudo Bologna
for the next two seasons, where he averaged 25.7 and 24.2 ppg respectively.
In 1995 he signed with NBA's Toronto Raptors
, with whom he played 30 games averaging 3.9 points in 9.4 minutes per game: his high-score was 18 against the New York Knicks
at the Madison Square Garden
.
In 1996 he moved back to Italy
, signing with Scavolini Pesaro
, where he averaged 25.3 ppg. Next season Vincenzo had some problems and in November 1997 was waived after 8 games in which he was averaging 13.4 ppg; he signed with Pistoia, helping the team to stay in the First League with 22.3 ppg. From 1998 to 2001 he played for Andrea Costa Imola
, in the First League, where he become a real hero: he was the best scorer of the league for three consecutive years (24.5 ppg, 30.9 ppg and 28.0 ppg respectively), being also awarded twice as the league's MVP and 1999 All Star Game MVP.
In 2001 he moved to Udine
for an experience that ended prematurely in January despite his 20.5 ppg; then he signed for the Spanish team of Gran Canaria
for the rest of the season.
In 2002 he returned to Imola, now in the Italian Second League
, where he averaged 24.9 ppg, In 2003 he signed with ambitious second league team of Scafati
, for an experience that ended in February (22.4 ppg), when he stepped up to the Italian contender Rome
as a sixth man
.
But Vincenzo was not used to start from the bench, so for the 2004-05 season he preferred to move back to Imola LegaDue
,for the third time in his career: he was the leading scorer of the Italian Second League with 26.9 ppg. At the end of the season, he spent a while in the Spanish
second league
, in Murcia
.
In 2005 he signed with Casale Monferrato
, but he was released after 5 months when he was averaging 12.1 ppg and in March he signed with Capo d'Orlando
, for his last experience in the Italian First League (8.8 ppg). He was confirmed also for the 2006-07 season and named team's captain, but a week before the start of the championship some family problems emerged and he cancelled the contract by mutual consent. In December 2007 he signed with Gragnano
, in the third league, where he did not finish the season (15.3 ppg in 13 games).
In July 2007 he decided that he would only have played in Emilia-Romagna
, where he had already bought a house, and he signed with Sporting Gira Ozzano, the third team of Bologna
. At the end of the season, he ranked third among the scoring leaders of the league with 18.8 ppg. He remained in Ozzano also for the 2008-09 season, and with 21.4 points per game was the leading scorer of the league.
At the end of the season, he decided to retire and start a new career as head coach for Aquila Basket Trento (Third Division). He ended his first season with a record of 15-13. In June 2010 he became the head coach of Fortitudo Agrigento (Third Division).
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is 1.94 m (6'4") tall and played as a shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
. In the NBA, he is best known for playing with the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, for whom he averaged 3.9 points in 9.4 mins per game in the 30 games he played.
Career
Also known as "El Diablo" for his impromptu way of playing but also for his fiery temperament, he debuted at age 15 with the team of his hometown, CasertaJuvecaserta Basket
JuveCaserta Basket , also known for sponsorship reasons as Pepsi Caserta, is an Italian League professional basketball team from the town of Caserta. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below.-The Beginnings:...
, where he played from 1984 to 1993, winning an Italian title in 1991 and an Italian National Cup in 1988. In 1993 he moved to Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna is an Legadue Basket professional basketball club that is based in Bologna. It's currently sponsored by Conad.-History:...
for the next two seasons, where he averaged 25.7 and 24.2 ppg respectively.
In 1995 he signed with NBA's Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, with whom he played 30 games averaging 3.9 points in 9.4 minutes per game: his high-score was 18 against the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
at the Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
.
In 1996 he moved back to Italy
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
, signing with Scavolini Pesaro
Victoria Libertas Pesaro
Victoria Libertas , full name Unione Sportiva Victoria Libertas Pallacanestro, is a professional basketball team that is based in Pesaro, Italy. The club competes in the top level Italian professional basketball league, the Lega Basket Serie A...
, where he averaged 25.3 ppg. Next season Vincenzo had some problems and in November 1997 was waived after 8 games in which he was averaging 13.4 ppg; he signed with Pistoia, helping the team to stay in the First League with 22.3 ppg. From 1998 to 2001 he played for Andrea Costa Imola
Andrea Costa Imola
Andrea Costa Imola, also known for sponsorship reasons as Aget Imola, is an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Imola and named after Andrea Costa, a former mayor of Imola....
, in the First League, where he become a real hero: he was the best scorer of the league for three consecutive years (24.5 ppg, 30.9 ppg and 28.0 ppg respectively), being also awarded twice as the league's MVP and 1999 All Star Game MVP.
In 2001 he moved to Udine
Pallalcesto Amatori Udine
Snaidero Basketball is a prominent Italian basketball club based in Udine. It is also known as Snaidero Cucine Udine.-History:Its best finish so far is a 5th place in the Italian tournament in the 2005/06 season. The gold years for basketball in Udine were from 1965 to 1980, when the president and...
for an experience that ended prematurely in January despite his 20.5 ppg; then he signed for the Spanish team of Gran Canaria
CB Gran Canaria
Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria - Claret, S.A.D. is a professional basketball team that plays in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto. The team is based in the autonomous community's capital and largest city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. It plays at Centro Insular.-History:CB Gran...
for the rest of the season.
In 2002 he returned to Imola, now in the Italian Second League
LegADue
Legadue or Lega2 is the second-highest division of professional club basketball in Italy since 2001-2002 season...
, where he averaged 24.9 ppg, In 2003 he signed with ambitious second league team of Scafati
Scafati Basket
Scafati Basket, also known for sponsorship reasons as Harem Scafati, is an Italian basketball club from the town of Scafati, Campania. The club plays in LegADue, the second level of Italian basketball; it was relegated from Lega Basket after finishing last in the 2007-08 season...
, for an experience that ended in February (22.4 ppg), when he stepped up to the Italian contender Rome
Pallacanestro Virtus Roma
Pallacanestro Virtus Roma, also known for sponsorship reasons as Acea Virtus Roma, is a prominent Italian League professional basketball club, and is also currently one of 13 European clubs that hold ULEB A Licenses, which provide their holders with a guaranteed place in the Euroleague. The club...
as a sixth man
Sixth man
The sixth man in basketball is a player who is not a starter but comes off the bench much more often than other reserves, often being the first player to be substituted in. The sixth man often plays minutes equal to or exceeding some of the starters and posts similar statistics. He is often a...
.
But Vincenzo was not used to start from the bench, so for the 2004-05 season he preferred to move back to Imola LegaDue
LegADue
Legadue or Lega2 is the second-highest division of professional club basketball in Italy since 2001-2002 season...
,for the third time in his career: he was the leading scorer of the Italian Second League with 26.9 ppg. At the end of the season, he spent a while in the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
second league
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
, in Murcia
CB Murcia
Club Baloncesto Murcia, S.A.D., also known as UCAM Murcia by sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain. The team plays in ACB...
.
In 2005 he signed with Casale Monferrato
A.S. Junior Pallacanestro Casale
Associazione Sportiva Junior Pallacanestro Casale Monferrato, also known for sponsorship reasons as Fastweb Casale Monferrato is an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Casale Monferrato....
, but he was released after 5 months when he was averaging 12.1 ppg and in March he signed with Capo d'Orlando
Orlandina Basket
Orlandina Basket, also known for sponsorship reasons as UPEA Capo d'Orlando is an Italian professional basketball club from the town of Capo d'Orlando, Sicily, Italy. It was founded in 1978, and is among the most recently founded basketball clubs in Italy...
, for his last experience in the Italian First League (8.8 ppg). He was confirmed also for the 2006-07 season and named team's captain, but a week before the start of the championship some family problems emerged and he cancelled the contract by mutual consent. In December 2007 he signed with Gragnano
Gragnano
Gragnano is a comune in the Province of Naples in the Italian region Campania, located about 30 km southeast of Naples. As of 1 January 2007, it had a population of 29,818 and an area of 14.6 km². "A hill town wedged between a mountain crest and the Amalfi Coast," Gragnano is home some...
, in the third league, where he did not finish the season (15.3 ppg in 13 games).
In July 2007 he decided that he would only have played in Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
, where he had already bought a house, and he signed with Sporting Gira Ozzano, the third team of Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. At the end of the season, he ranked third among the scoring leaders of the league with 18.8 ppg. He remained in Ozzano also for the 2008-09 season, and with 21.4 points per game was the leading scorer of the league.
At the end of the season, he decided to retire and start a new career as head coach for Aquila Basket Trento (Third Division). He ended his first season with a record of 15-13. In June 2010 he became the head coach of Fortitudo Agrigento (Third Division).
External links
- Vincenzo Esposito player statistics at basketballreference.com