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The Detroit Pistons have signed Luigi Datome, according to Datome's Facebook account and confirmed by several sources.
I don't speak Italian but for those interested:
Ho deciso di diventare un giocatore dei Detroit Pistons. Penso che possa essere il posto giusto per permettermi di fare un ulteriore salto di qualità nella mia carriera e per realizzare il sogno di una vita. Sono molto eccitato all'idea di unirmi al gruppo dei giocatori di Detroit. Voglio ringraziare la mia famiglia, il Presidente Toti, tutta la Virtus Roma e con lei i suoi tifosi per il loro continuo supporto e augurare alla Virtus il meglio per il futuro.
The Bing translation is as follows:
I decided to become a player of the Detroit Pistons. I think it may be the right place for me to make another quantum leap in my career and to realize the dream of a lifetime. I am very excited to join the Group of players in Detroit. I want to thank my family, Mr Tan, all Virtus Roma and its fans for their continued support and wish to Virtus the best for the future. (Translated by Bing)
Here is what I know about Datome so far:
The contract is a two-year deal for 3.5 million, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
He is known as one of the best shooters in Europe.
Source calls him the best outside shooter in Europe. 6-9 small forward. Details coming, but two-year deal expected. #Pistons
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) July 9, 2013
He looks like he will primarily play small forward for the Pistons.
He has a fan in Jonas Jerebko, who wasted no time welcoming his new teammate:
Welcome my italian brother @GigiDatome to the @detroitpistons and the @NBA #Pistons
— Jonas Jerebko (@JonasJerebko) July 9, 2013
He is 25 years old and stands 202 centimeters tall (damn metric system). I have confirmed that that equates to roughly 6-foot-8. He is also the reigning MVP of the Italian League, after starring for Virtus Roma for the past five seasons.
He averaged 16.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from 2-point range and almost 42 percent from 3-point range. He also has shot better than 90 percent from the charity stripe throughout his career. Stats via sportnado.net.
The Pistons view him as a rotational player, per Vincent Goodwill.
The Celtics, Bucks, Rockets, Suns, Spurs and Grizzlies were all reportedly interested in signing Datome, according to Vince Ellis. The Grizzlies offered him a 1-year, $900,000 contract, according to sportando.net.
With the Pistons signing Datome, Josh Smith and re-signing Will Bynum, the roster stands at 16 players. That means that Kim English and Peyton Siva are probably fighting for one roster spot.
Here is a highlight reel.