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DETROIT — Simone Fontecchio didn’t always like the nickname “Tech.”
This name was given to him when he arrived in Utah as a 26-year-old rookie, and his Jazz teammates didn’t know how to pronounce his name.
“When I first came to the NBA, Malik Beasley and Jason Terry started calling me that,” Fontecchio said. The Athletic. “I was like, ‘Guys, I don’t like that.’ No one has ever called me that. Then it stuck with me. Now I like it. It’s fun.”
Now in Detroit, Fontecchio’s nickname is with him. So was his jump shot and sneaky athleticism. Fontecchio is a welcome addition to the Pistons, averaging 15.1 points and shooting 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range in seven games. Fontecchio will be a restricted free agent this summer. However, Detroit is interested in keeping the forward long-term. For Fontecchio, the interests are mutual.
Since Fontecchio will likely be in the Motor City for the foreseeable future, I wanted to learn more about his background and journey through basketball. Now, you too can learn more about “Tek”.
enjoy.
(Editor’s note: This conversation has been edited for both clarity and length)
Growing up playing ball in Europe, was it always your goal to go to the NBA or did that come later in life?
I don’t think that was ever really the goal. For Italian kids, there are always only about five or seven Italian players who have actually played in the NBA. As an adult, it feels out of reach. It is very difficult and difficult to get here. Are you thinking of playing in the Italian League, the Euroleague or the national team? Maybe that became a goal when I competed in the 2021 Olympics. People started looking at me and recognizing me. I was still young at that point, so I thought I still had a chance. I was 24 years old. The next season I set that as a goal and tried to get there.
When I was 18 or 19 years old, when I started thinking about the NBA Draft, I started looking at it as a goal. Some scouts came to see me. He trained with the Celtics. They ended up taking my name out of the draft, probably because they didn’t think I was ready. I like the path I’ve taken. I wouldn’t change anything. I like how everything turned out.
So did the Olympics put you on the radar of NBA teams?
She was noticed when she was a little younger, but then she fell off the radar. The Olympics put me back on the NBA radar.
Why do you think she disappeared?
I went to Milan and signed a three-year contract, but I didn’t play much. When you’re young and don’t play much, they don’t get a chance to watch you. I wouldn’t change anything.
At 26 years old, it was too late. At that point in your career, are you seriously considering not even making the jump?
To be honest, it was easy. When you see a train passing by, you just want to ride it. I just thought, “It’s a three-year contract.” I will do everything in my power to make this happen. If not, I’ll just go back to Europe. it’s okay. I did my best. ‘For the past two years, I’ve been working a lot. I’m grateful to be in the position I’m in.
There is a significant time difference between here and Europe. How much NBA did you get to watch as a kid?
When I was a kid and older, the first NBA game I started watching was the 2006 Finals. From that point on, I started staying up late to watch the playoffs, especially.
Were you watching live or recording?
I would wake up around 3 or 4 a.m. and watch it with my brother. It was kind of cool. I remember Game 7 in 2016. I was awake watching it. My brother and I used to do that a lot. We got up and watched the finals. We used to watch the All-Star Game from time to time. It’s a wonderful memory with my brother.
Who is your favorite player of all time?
I think it’s Dwyane Wade just because I started watching the 2006 Finals. It was kind of cool that he had ownership of the Jazz when he got to Utah.
Were you able to tell him that he is your favorite player?
Hooray.
what did he say?
I don’t know. I think he understands that very well. he was cool We took a shot together. it was cool.
Do people always pronounce your name wrong?
People, especially TV announcers, have a really hard time with this problem. I think some of them are very ignorant, especially about my last name. I saw a clip from the last game, and someone on the Bulls did a terrible job. I hope they know what happened after that game.
Who is the greatest Italian player to play in the NBA, and who is the greatest Italian player we may not know?
Definitely Danilo Gallinari. What he’s accomplished, the kind of career he’s had…it’s remarkable. He’s probably the best Italian player to ever play the game. He never won, but I hope he gets a chance with the Bucks.
Two Italian players that people here don’t know about are Dino Menegin and Antonello Riva. Riva is the national team’s all-time leading scorer. He has about 4,000 points and the second guy has about 2,000 points.
thank you.
thank you.
(Top photo: Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
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