Andrea Bargnani - EuroBasket 2011 Profile

Team 2010-11: Toronto Raptors (USA-NBA)
Career: Stella Azurra Roma (Italy-Lega Due, 2001-03),Benetton Treviso (Italy-Lega, 2003-06), Toronto Raptors (USA-NBA, 2006-11)

---

Andrea Bargnani was unstoppable last summer during the Qualifying Round as he topped the scoring charts with over 24 points per game. That is not altogether surprising considering the impact the man nicknamed ‘The Magician' has made during his career on both sides of the Atlantic at club level. A former EuroLeague Rising Star winner, that title was to prove an understatement as he eventually established himself in the big league - albeit after a shaky start. Five seasons on the other side of the Pond and he's a bona-fide NBA power who averaged over 17 points per game last season. It isn't just his impressive ability in the paint which provides him with so many opportunities but also his ability to step outside and shoot the three-ball when needed. That kind of range is like gold dust and when you throw in his ball handling skills which are superb for a player of his height, you begin to appreciate why he provides a magical element to the Italian team. At the other end of the floor, Bargnani is also a big defensive presence for his country too and you can expect him to come up with some spectacular blocked shots just at the right time.