Former Chicago Bulls NBA 1st Round Pick Signs With New Team

Denzel Valentine has signed with a team in Italy.

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 Tuesday, Olimpia Milano announced that they had signed Valentine to a contract (h/t Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype). 

Via Olimpia Milano: "Olimpia has signed until the end of the season the 1.95 mt guard Denzel Valentine, born in Lansing on November 16, 1993. He is coming from the Sydney Kings. Valentine will be in Milan tomorrow for his physicals"

Olimpia has signed until the end of the season the 1.95 mt guard Denzel Valentine, born in Lansing on November 16, 1993. He is coming from the Sydney Kings. Valentine will be in Milan tomorrow for his physicals

— Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) March 19, 2024

Valentine was initially the 14th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft (by the Chicago Bulls) after an outstanding four-year college career with Michigan State. 

The Spartans made the NCAA Tournament in all four seasons and reached the 2015 Final 4. 

Valentine has played five seasons in the NBA (with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz). 

His career averages are 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 regular season games.  

He has also appeared in four NBA playoff games (with the Bulls in 2017).  

Welcome to the league, Denzel Valentine. #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/pmDhAaUGbs

— NBA (@NBA) November 1, 2016

The 30-year-old most recently played for the Sydney Kings earlier this season. 

He averaged 12.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 45.4% from the field and 36.6% from the three-point range in 28 games.