Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Simone Fontecchio brought a polished international game to the NBA, combining accurate perimeter shooting with smart movement and a strong understanding of team basketball. The Italian forward’s versatility, size on the wing, and willingness to contribute without dominating the ball have made him a reliable option in a variety of lineups.

Here’s a detailed overview of Simone Fontecchio:

  • Full Name: Simone Fontecchio
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Age: Born on December 9, 1995
  • Hometown: Pescara, Italy
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
  • Weight: 209 pounds (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: Approximately 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Typically around size 13 (US), though this can vary.
  • Shoe Brand: Nike Zoom Freak 4
  • Number: 16 (currently with the Utah Jazz)
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: Did not attend high school in the U.S. (Played in Italy)
  • College: Did not attend college (Developed in European basketball leagues)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft
  • Teams Played For:
    • Virtus Bologna (Italy)
    • Olimpia Milano (Italy)
    • ALBA Berlin (Germany)
    • Baskonia (Spain)
    • Utah Jazz (NBA, since 2022)
  • Championship Rings: None as of now
  • Kids: No public information about having children
  • Siblings: He has a brother, Luca Fontecchio, who is also involved in sports as a basketball player.

Scouting Report

Simone Fontecchio has a knack for making himself available exactly when an offense needs another option. He doesn’t spend possessions pounding the ball, yet he constantly changes the shape of the floor by relocating behind drives, drifting along the arc as the defense rotates, or cutting into open space when defenders lock onto the primary creator. What stands out is how quickly he recognizes advantage basketball. If the ball swings his way, the decision is almost immediate—shoot, attack the closeout with one or two long strides, or make the extra pass before the defense can recover. That decisiveness keeps possessions flowing. The trade-off is that he’s far less comfortable when the clock is winding down and he’s forced to manufacture separation against a set defender. His handle is functional rather than dynamic, so his best drives come against scrambling defenses instead of organized ones. Defensively, I’ve always thought his awareness is stronger than his physical tools. He rotates early from the weak side, tags rollers without lingering too long, and closes out under control instead of selling out for blocks that compromise the next action. Stronger wings can dislodge him on deep drives, while explosive guards may turn the corner if he’s isolated in space, but he generally compensates by staying connected within the team’s coverage rather than chasing individual stops. It’s easy to overlook how often he makes the correct off-ball read because those plays rarely appear in a box score, yet they consistently lead to cleaner offensive possessions. To me, Fontecchio fits best alongside ball-dominant creators who need reliable spacing, quick decisions, and a wing who understands how to keep an offense moving without demanding touches. His style reminds me of Bojan Bogdanović as a movement shooter and secondary scorer, with flashes of Joe Ingles in the way he processes the game, preferring timing and positioning over forcing difficult plays that simply aren’t there.