While fans wait for the 2025-26 NBA season to tip-off, FIBA’s EuroBasket 2025 is now in full swing. Consequently, many are currently transfixed by the out-of-this-world ability of several European players, some of whom so happen to be in the NBA.
This watchlist certainly includes Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), both of whom have won NBA championships and NBA MVP awards. Up-and-coming talents like Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (Turkey) are receiving high praise as well. Then there’s Los Angeles Lakers star point guard Luka Doncic (Slovenia), who recently became the fourth player in EuroBasket history to record a triple-double.
Simone Fontecchio Puts Heat On Notice With EuroBasket 2025 Heater
During Sunday’s EuroBasket slate, Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio reminded basketball fans why his game can’t be downplayed. He may not be mentioned in the same breath as Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Sengun and Doncic. Nevertheless, after tallying a highly-efficient 39 points against Jusuf Nurkic‘s Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 29-year-old broke Italy’s all-time single-game scoring record.
Simone Fontecchio into the RECORD BOOKS 🤩
39 PTS
65 FG% (13-20 FGM)
8 REB
7 3PM
He breaks Italy’s single-game scoring record in @EuroBasket history! pic.twitter.com/WmaPuMyE2A
— NBA (@NBA) August 31, 2025
The previous record-holder was former NBA big man Andrea Bargnani, a 6-foot-11 floor-spacer who was ahead of his time. Italy’s only other player to score 30-plus points in the past 35 years is 14-year NBA veteran Danilo Gallinari. Notably, Gallinari plans to retire from the Blues after the EuroBasket tournament but hopes to continue his NBA career.
Simone Fontecchio has broken Italy’s all-time #EuroBasket scoring record.
39 – Simone Fontecchio | 2025
36 – Andrea Bargnani | 2011
33 – Antonello Riva | 1989
33 – Danilo Gallinari | 2015
32 – Antonello Riva | 1987 pic.twitter.com/E2xUADulSj
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 31, 2025
Unlike Bargnani (2006 No. 1 pick) and Gallinari (2008 No. 6 pick) though, Fontecchio wasn’t an NBA lottery pick. In fact, the Pescara native went undrafted in 2017 and didn’t sign with an NBA team until 2022. Now, he’s a three-year NBA veteran who’s averaged a career-high 10.5 points per game in 2023-24.
The Last Word On Simone Fontecchio
After failing to capitalize on his momentum last season, Fontecchio is poised for a bounceback year. At least that’s if his performance during the EuroBasket 2025 tournament provides any clues.
Dec 31, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) takes a layup around Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) during the second half at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
With that being said, Fontecchio is averaging 19.0 points on 40.0 percent shooting in the tournament. When he goes into training camp with Miami, he’ll already be in rhythm. After an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign, that could help the Heat get off to a good start in 2025-26.