Under The Radar: Simone Fontecchio's improbable journey to the NBA

Apr 07, 2023 650

BY: Cam Cobey

It’s Dec. 7 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. The Utah Jazz trail the defending NBA champions Golden State Warriors by one with 6.9 seconds left on the clock. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Nickeil Alexander-Walker swarms Jordan Poole, stripping the ball loose. It trickles to Malik Beasley, who scoops it off the hardwood, runs the floor and finds a streaking Simone Fontecchio to finish off a wide-open dunk with 1.4 seconds remaining.

“YES, FONTECCHIO!” Jazz play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack yells with joy as the Warriors throw the ball away, and the Jazz secure an epic victory. Vivint Arena is in pandemonium. Jazz players are hugging. Fontecchio is beaming ear to ear. “It was a crazy game,” Fontecchio told NBA.com with a chuckle. “You sit back and look at all the work you put in, all the sacrifice you’ve made the last 10 years. It’s definitely worth it.”

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SOURCE: https://www.nba.com

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