In the illustrious annals of Italian basketball, one name stands alone: Marco Belinelli. Having recently retired at 39, Belinelli is not merely a celebrated figure; he is a historical anomaly—the sole Italian to have hoisted the coveted NBA championship trophy. During a recent appearance at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, Belinelli, with a wry smile, expressed a rather `egoistic` hope: that no other Italian might ever join his exclusive club. It’s a candid, almost impish remark that speaks volumes about the unique pride of an unmatched achievement.
Marco Belinelli discusses his career and retirement at the Festival dello Sport.
The Spark in Japan: A Global Introduction
Every legend has an origin story, and for Belinelli, it arguably began not in the familiar arenas of Italy but on a global stage in Japan. At the 2006 FIBA World Championship, a then 20-year-old Belinelli faced the formidable U.S. national team. He candidly admits to feeling fear, a primal unease about failing to make an impression. Yet, that fear transmuted into a spectacular 25-point performance, a revelation that instantly put him on the radar of NBA scouts. This was not just a game; it was an audition for a dream, a moment where a young Italian announced his audacious intent to the world.
The NBA Odyssey: Navigating a Difficult Dream
Following his breakout performance, Belinelli embarked on a 13-year journey across the NBA landscape. His arrival in the league, drafted by the Golden State Warriors, came with a touch of charming provincialism: he confessed asking his then-girlfriend (now wife) Martina where San Francisco even was. It wasn`t an immediate triumph. As former colleague Matteo Soragna noted, entering the NBA as a shooting guard, arguably one of the most demanding positions, presented a steep challenge.
However, Belinelli’s resilience saw him find his rhythm. In New Orleans, under Coach Monty Williams and alongside Chris Paul, he finally felt like a true NBA player, embraced and valued. Later, a move to Chicago symbolized his ambition to contend, to be part of a team destined for the playoffs. Each stop was a stepping stone, carving out a niche in a league notoriously unforgiving to outsiders.
The Pinnacle: San Antonio Spurs and the Championship Ring
The zenith of Belinelli`s NBA career arrived in the 2013-14 season with the San Antonio Spurs. This was, by his own admission, the “best version” of Marco Belinelli. His recollection of the first day with the Spurs is telling: two hours spent reviewing the previous season`s heartbreaking Game 7 Finals loss against Miami. It was a stark introduction to the relentless commitment that defined the Spurs, a culture instilled by the legendary Gregg Popovich—a coach Belinelli credits for teaching him not just basketball but invaluable life lessons. Surrounded by icons like Manu Ginobili (with whom he’d trained as a youth at Virtus Bologna) and Tim Duncan, Belinelli found himself living out childhood fantasies.
“The best memory I have of the title we won is the locker room, Pop`s speech, and then the celebration with my teammates and my family members. These are things I thought were only possible in the videotapes of Michael Jordan and his Bulls that I watched as a child, but now I was experiencing them firsthand.”
This period wasn`t merely about winning; it was about belonging, about achieving the seemingly impossible, and witnessing a dream manifest into tangible, glorious reality.
Belinelli during his illustrious career, known for his sharpshooting.
Earning Respect from Giants
Belinelli’s tenacity and skill earned him the admiration of the game`s elite. One particularly poignant interaction was with his idol, Kobe Bryant. Kobe, knowing Belinelli`s heritage, greeted him in Italian during their first on-court encounter. “The mere fact that he knew my name, for me, meant everything,” Belinelli recalled. Such moments underscore the profound respect he commanded. His visit to the White House after the Spurs` triumph, where President Barack Obama playfully lamented his Bulls lacking a player like Marco, further cemented his status as more than just a player—he was a cultural touchstone.
The Return Home: A Full-Circle Farewell
In 2020, Belinelli made the decision to return to Italy, rejoining Virtus Bologna, the club where his professional journey began. The move was swift, the impact immediate. Within six months, he led them to a Scudetto. For four and a half years, he continued to defy expectations, making a significant difference, even earning an MVP award at 38 and lifting another championship trophy as captain before his retirement. His decision to step away at 39 was deliberate: “I decided to retire now because I wanted people to remember me as a player, as I always have been from before going to the NBA until the last game. That`s how I am, I want this to be my legacy.”
Belinelli celebrates a championship with Virtus Bologna, capping his career on a high note.
The Burden of Uniqueness: A Touch of Irony
Circling back to his initial, eyebrow-raising comment about hoping no other Italian wins an NBA ring, one might ponder its true meaning. Is it truly a selfish wish, or a profound expression of the pride that comes with being the first, and for now, the only? In a world increasingly interconnected, where records are made to be broken, there`s a unique human allure to holding a singular place in history. Belinelli’s remark, delivered with a smile, speaks to this very human desire—a testament to the intense personal investment in carving out an unrivaled legacy.
Regardless of whether another Italian ever joins his exclusive fraternity, Marco Belinelli’s place in basketball history is secure. His career is a compelling narrative of ambition, perseverance, skill, and the indelible mark of being a true pioneer. His story will continue to inspire, not just for the championships won, but for the unwavering spirit of a player who dared to dream big and, in doing so, etched his name into the very fabric of Italian and NBA lore.
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley