Career: Siziano (Italy-4th Div., 1997-2000), Pavia (Italy-3rd Div, 2000-01), Pavia (Italy-Legadue, 2001-02), Lauretana Biella (Italy-Lega, 2002-05), Virtus Bologna (Italy-Lega, 2005-07)

---

Another typical Italian late bloomer, De Bella first saw action with the National Team at 28, without any experience even at the youth level. The 28-year-old developed from a playground style player into a team player, making his first step in the fourth division in Siziano (near Milano) with a club owned by his father. Year by year, Di Bella faced new challenges, proving every time that he can could succeed at a higher level.  He moved to the third division, then Legadue in Pavia, Serie A in Biella and, since 2005 he has been with Virtus Bologna. After just two years, he was named team captain. His athleticism makes him good in traffic as he is able to score using both hands. In November 2006, he had to undergo surgery for a herniated disk and his season only started again in mid-April. He hopes the time off hasn’t affected the place he earned at the 2006 World Championships as the team’s starting point guard.