Former Chicago Bulls 1st-Round Pick Signs With Team In Italy

Denzel Valentine has signed with Pallacanestro Trieste.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) walks to the stage after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Denzel Valentine most recently played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz.

That year, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per contest while shooting 37.9% from the field and 40.4% from the three-point range in 24 games.

On Saturday, Valentine signed with Pallacanestro Trieste (h/t Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype).

Via Andrea Calzoni: "✅🇮🇹OFFICIAL Denzel Valentine signs a one-year contract with Pallacanestro Trieste. After his short adventure with Olimpia Milano, his career continues in Italy."

✅🇮🇹OFFICIAL
Denzel Valentine signs a one-year contract with Pallacanestro Trieste. After his short adventure with Olimpia Milano, his career continues in Italy.#LBA #SerieA #NBA #LegaBasketA #Trieste #PallacanestroTrieste pic.twitter.com/UrR7IZMkGS

— Andrea Calzoni (@andreacalzoni11) August 10, 2024

Valentine was the 14th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft after an outstanding college career for Michigan State.

During his senior season, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 46.2% from the field and 44.4% from the three-point range in 31 games (30 starts).

Via College Basketball Report: "(2015-16) Denzel Valentine

• AP Player of the Year
• NABC Player of the Year
• Consensus AA 1st Team
• Naismith Finalist
• Julius Erving Award
• Big Ten Player of the Year
• 19/7/7
• 46/44/85 Shooting Splits
• Michigan State finished #2 in the Final AP Poll"

(2015-16) Denzel Valentine

• AP Player of the Year
• NABC Player of the Year
• Consensus AA 1st Team
• Naismith Finalist
• Julius Erving Award
• Big Ten Player of the Year
• 19/7/7
• 46/44/85 Shooting Splits
• Michigan State finished #2 in the Final AP Poll pic.twitter.com/IXow7v2BA1

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) June 17, 2023

Valentine has played five seasons in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavs.

The best tenure of his career came with Chicago where he spent his first four years.

He has career averages of 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest while shooting 39.4% from the field and 36.0% from the three-point range in 256 games.