JaKarr Sampson signs with Italian team
Orazio Cauchi: Virtus Bologna officially announced the signing of forward JaKarr Sampson until 2023. Sampson, a former Process Member, spent the last two seasons with the Indiana Pacers.
Virtus Bologna Rumors
Italian team interested in Jordan Bell
After Ekpe Udoh’s “dramatic” injury against Tortona, Italian defending champion Virtus Bologna is considering Jordan Bell as a replacement for the former Fenerbahce center, according to Corriere di Bologna
Virtus Bologna’s win over LBA newcomer Tortona in SuperCup Quarterfinal game yesterday night was overshadowed by a serious injury occurred to Nigerian center Ekpe Udoh, who appears to have injured his patellar tendon in a no-contact situation. Former Fenerbahce center was taken out of the court in a stretcher and after the game coach Sergio Scariolo confirmed the seriousness of the injury, adding that the team will look for a replacement in the market: “He’s our cornerstone, both on attack and on defense. It’s dramatic, I hope that it serves to understand that you need to respect the players. Here there are stickers on the court everywhere, in the NBA it’s not the case. We will look for a replacement”.
“We are in shock and worried,” Scariolo said after the game on Udoh’s injury. The Italian coach spoke against the use of slippery stickers on basketball floors which have often caused players to hurt themselves.
Orazio Cauchi: Virtus Bologna officially announced the signing of American guard Ty-Shon Alexander. It’s a two-year deal with an NBA out next summer.
Ty-Shon Alexander to Italy
Italian EuroCup squad Virtus Bologna agreed in a principle to a deal with American guard Ty-Shon Alexander, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Basketnews. Virtus Bologna’s interest in the player was first reported by Superbasket. The expectation is that the deal between the two sides will become official in the coming days, a source told Basketnews. A former Creighton alum, Alexander spent his rookie season in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns under a two-way contract but played only 15 games with the team, averaging a little bit more than 3 minutes per game. In the G League, he played with the Canton Charge, averaging 9.3 points per game while shooting 38% from three-point.
But before their season began, the Arizona product was forced to be away from the team after an intestinal virus he reportedly caught during the Tokyo Olympics. The photo of Mannion looking extra frail has been making the rounds on social media. The Warriors second-round pick addressed his Italian fans more than a week ago, expressing his disappointment in having to miss the opening festivities for Virtus Bologna to start off the season.
