Danilo Gallinari Italian professional basketball player Date of Birth: 08.08.1988 Country: Italy

1. Danilo Gallinari: The Italian Stallion
2. Early Years and Professional Career
3. Olimpia Milano and NBA Draft
4. NBA Career

Danilo Gallinari: The Italian Stallion

Danilo Gallinari is an Italian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a versatile player who can play at any forward position, but primarily plays as a small forward. Gallinari also represents the Italian national team.

Early Years and Professional Career

Born into a basketball dynasty, Gallinari is the son of Vittorio Gallinari, a EuroLeague champion in 1987 with Olimpia Milano. At age 15, Gallinari began his professional career with the third-tier Italian team Casalpusterlengo. In 2005, he joined Olimpia Milano, where he played sparingly in EuroLeague but was loaned to Serie A2 team Edimes Pavia for more playing time. Despite missing half of the season due to injury, Gallinari became a starter for Pavia, averaging 14.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2 steals per game.

Olimpia Milano and NBA Draft

Returning to Milano in 2006, Gallinari made his Italian League and ULEB Cup debuts. He emerged as a key player in his first season, starting 34 games and averaging 10.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. In 2007, he earned an All-Star selection and won the three-point contest in the Italian League All-Star Game. Gallinari continued to impress in his second season, averaging 17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 steals in 33 games. He also excelled in the EuroLeague that season, leading his team with 14.9 points and earning the EuroLeague Rising Star award.

Inspired by his success in Europe, Gallinari declared for the NBA draft in 2008. He was drafted 6th overall by the New York Knicks, signing a three-year contract. However, injuries hampered his rookie season, limiting him to just 28 games.

NBA Career

In the 2009-10 season, Gallinari earned a starting spot for the Knicks. He showcased his scoring prowess with a 30-point outing against the Philadelphia 76ers, connecting on 8-of-16 three-pointers. Gallinari was traded to the Denver Nuggets as part of a blockbuster deal involving Carmelo Anthony in February 2011. After a brief stint back in Europe during the 2011 NBA lockout, Gallinari continued to thrive in the NBA.

Today, Gallinari is a veteran player who has represented several NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers. He remains a dynamic and reliable contributor, known for his shooting, scoring abilities, and leadership on the court.