Virtus Roma (SerieA) agreed terms with 36-year old ex-international swingman Alex Righetti with a contract after a long tryout during this summer to help the team for the preseason. It is actually his comeback to Roma as he played here before (7 years, 219 games and 1907 points in SerieA winning one Supercup and playing also 40 games of Euroleague). Righetti played last season at FCM Ferentino (Lega Due Gold). In 7 Lega Due Gold games he had 10.9ppg, 2.4rpg and 1.3apg. The previous (11-12) season he played at Pasta Reggia JuveCaserta. In 27 games he recorded 9.7ppg and 3.9rpg that season. In 2010-11 season Righetti played at Cimberio Varese. In 31 games he recorded 7.2ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.5spg.
The list of the past achievements is quite long as Righetti won EuroChallenge championship title in 2009 and the Italian Cup in 2008. He was selected to Italian A1 All-Star Game back in 2001 and 2005. Righetti also represented Italy at the European Championships in Belgrade eight years ago. His stats at that event were 4 games: 6.8ppg, 1.3rpg, 0.8apg, FGP: 33.3%, 3FGP-3 (54.5%), FT: 75%. With the first national team 'Rigo' played 114 games (more of 900 points) winning two medals: Bronze in the European Championships (Sweden, 2003) and Silver during the Olympic Games of Athens in 2004!
Righetti has played previously for two other Italy teams: Rimini (where he grown) and Air Avellino. He is close to retirement age as a player, it's very possible he may end his playing career at Lottomatica Roma.
The words of Nicola Alberani: 'I'm very happy with the return of Righetti. In this pre-season Alex has positively surprised about the state of the form shown, confirming the attitude and commitment that we already knew.'
The first words of the coach Luca Dalmonte: 'The arrival of Righetti is very positive. Alex a player who not only has the technical qualities and tactics that integrate with the needs of our team, but also a moral and ethical sense of belonging for Virtus and the economy of the group.'
The first words of Alex: 'I'm back to Rome as a child excited. I'm proud to be back in society to which I was more connected during my career and in a city that I have a relationship that goes beyond the sporting aspect, because my wife is here in Rome and my daughters were born here. Physically I'm fine, I still have to work to get to the top but I'm happy with my form. I thank President Toti, the gm Alberani and all the staff who gave me the opportunity to return home, to me is a kind of dream that become true again.'
(Courtesy of Eurobasket.com)