Carlos Delfino

Carlos Francisco Delfino (born August 29, 1982) is an Argentine-Italian professional basketball player for Victoria Libertas Pesaro of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He holds dual citizenship in both Italy and Argentina.[2][3] Standing at 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), he plays at the small forward and shooting guard positions. He is also noted for his defense and three point shooting skills.[4]

Carlos Delfino

Delfino with the Rockets
No. 82 – Victoria Libertas Pesaro
Position	Small forward / shooting guard
League	Lega Basket Serie A
Personal information
Born	August 29, 1982 Santa Fe, Argentina
Nationality	Argentine / Italian[1]
Listed height	1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight	104 kg (230 lb)
Career information
NBA draft	2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25th overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career	1998–present
Career history
1998–1999	Libertad de Sunchales
1999–2000	Unión de Santa Fe
2000–2002	Viola Reggio Calabria
2002–2004	Fortitudo Bologna
2004–2007	Detroit Pistons
2007–2008	Toronto Raptors
2008–2009	Khimki Moscow Region
2009–2012	Milwaukee Bucks
2012–2013	Houston Rockets
2017	Boca Juniors
2017	Baskonia
2018–2019	Auxilium Torino
2019	Fortitudo Bologna
2020–present	Victoria Libertas Pesaro
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Argentina Summer Olympic Games 2004 Athens 2008 Beijing FIBA Diamond Ball 2004 Belgrade 2008 Nanjing FIBA AmeriCup 2007 Las Vegas 2011 Mar del Plata FIBA South American Championship 2004 Rio de Janeiro

Professional career

Early years

The son of Carlos and Cristina Delfino, he began his professional career playing in the Argentine Basketball League for Olimpia de Venado Tuerto in the 1998–99 season, and he then transferred to Unión de Santa Fe in 1999–2000.

Italian clubs

Delfino moved to Italy in 2000 and played four seasons in the Italian A League, the first two with Reggio Calabria and the other two seasons with Skipper Bologna.

In his first season in Italy, he played for Reggio Calabria. In just under 21 minutes per game he averaged 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals. He scored a season-high 25 points in his second game against Scavolini Pesaro, making five of eight three-point attempts. He scored 15 points in just 20 minutes against Cordivari Roseto and tallied 14 points apiece against Paf Bologna, Muller Verona and Kinder Bologna. He hit at least one three-pointer in 19 of 24 games.

In his first season with Skipper Bologna, he moved into the starting lineup in the third game of the season and averaged about 26 minutes. He scored 18 points, including shooting 3-of-5 from three-point range, versus Euro Roseto and posted double-doubles against Benetton Treviso (13 points, 13 rebounds), Oregon Scientific Cantù (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Pippo Milano (14 points, 11 rebounds). He suffered torn ligaments in his ankle late in the season, but returned in late May.

Detroit Pistons (2004–2007)

Beginning in 2004, Delfino signed to play for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association, who made him the 25th pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft, making him the first Argentine player ever to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft. In November 2004, he suffered a knee injury that kept him on the injured list for over three months. He had an operation in the U.S. and then another in Argentina, where he recovered. However, Delfino did not immediately return to form after his rehabilitation, and was left off the Pistons' 2005 playoff roster. After he recovered from the knee injury, Delfino averaged 15.3 minutes, 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in 30 games under coach Larry Brown. Many regarded Brown as having limited space for Delfino's offensive creativity. It was perceived that under the Pistons upcoming new coach Flip Saunders, that Delfino would thrive.

In his second season on the Pistons' active roster, Carlos averaged 10.7 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. Delfino played off the bench substituting for either Tayshaun Prince or Richard Hamilton. He had three straight games where he scored in double digits before being sidelined for the next 4 with the flu. Delfino became an important change-of-pace player in Flip Saunders' offensive scheme.

Toronto Raptors

On June 15, 2007, the Detroit Pistons traded Delfino to the Toronto Raptors for 2nd-round draft picks in both the 2009 NBA draft and the 2011 NBA draft.[5] The 2007–08 season was his most productive in the NBA, as he averaged 9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during the regular season.

On June 16, 2009, the Toronto Raptors extended a qualifying offer to Delfino.[6]

Khimki

In the summer of 2008, Delfino signed a 3-year contract with the Russian Super League club Khimki Moscow Region. Delfino was one of the highest-paid basketball players in Europe, earning about US$10 million per season, plus a house, a car and a driver, and savings on taxes.[7] He averaged 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in Europe's secondary level competition, the EuroCup, during the 2008–09 season.[8]

Milwaukee Bucks (2009–2012)

On August 18, 2009, the Raptors signed and traded Delfino to the Milwaukee Bucks along with Roko Ukić in exchange for Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems.[9]

Delfino had a breakout season with the Bucks, as he posted career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game and blocks per game, while playing 30 minutes per game. He also played a major role in the playoffs, shooting a career-high .405 from behind the 3-point line.

Houston Rockets (2012–2013)

On August 20, 2012, Delfino signed with the Houston Rockets.[10] After being a starter for three years in Milwaukee, Delfino became the sixth man for the Rockets in 2012–13. On June 30, 2013, Delfino was waived by the Rockets.[11]

Second Milwaukee Bucks stint (2013–2014)

On July 17, 2013, Delfino signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[12] However, he never appeared in a game for the Bucks during the 2013–14 season due to a broken foot.[13]

On August 26, 2014, Delfino was traded, along with Miroslav Raduljica and a 2015 second-round draft pick, to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Jared Dudley and a 2017 conditional first-round draft pick.[14] Three days later, he was waived by the Clippers.[15]

Boca Juniors (2017)

On March 6, 2017, Delfino signed with the Argentine team Boca Juniors.[16]

Baskonia (2017)

On September 27, 2017, Delfino signed with Spanish club Baskonia.[17] On October 26, 2017, Delfino finished his stint with Baskonia.[18]

Fiat Torino (2018–2019)

On July 3, 2018, Delfino came back to Italy after 14 years and signed a deal with Italian club Auxilium Torino.[19]

Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna 103 (2019)

On February 27, 2019, Delfino returned to Bologna and signed on the Lavoropiù Bologna.[20]

Victoria Libertas Pesaro (2020-present)

After one year where Delfino didn't play anywhere, Jasmin Repeša, new coach of VL Pesaro, wanted him in his new team and he was the first hire for the season 2020-21 for Pesaro.[21]

National team career

Delfino was a member of Argentina's junior national team that won the bronze medal at the 2001 FIBA Under-21 World Championship that was held in Saitama, Japan. Delfino was also a part of the senior Argentine national basketball team that won the gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also played with Argentina's senior national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship and at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where he helped Argentina to win the bronze medal. After years of absence following injury, he played with Argentina's senior basketball team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[22][23]

Career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	PIR	Performance Index Rating
Bold	Career high

Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season. He also played in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2004–05	Detroit	30	4	15.3	.359	.257	.575	1.8	1.3	.7	.2	3.9
2005–06	Detroit	68	1	10.7	.403	.333	.672	1.7	.6	.3	.2	3.6
2006–07	Detroit	82	1	16.7	.415	.333	.787	3.2	1.1	.6	.1	5.2
2007–08	Toronto	82	0	23.5	.397	.382	.744	4.4	1.8	.8	.1	9.0
2009–10	Milwaukee	75	66	30.4	.408	.367	.782	5.3	2.7	1.1	.3	11.0
2010–11	Milwaukee	49	40	32.4	.390	.370	.800	4.1	2.3	1.6	.2	11.5
2011–12	Milwaukee	54	53	28.5	.402	.360	.792	3.9	2.3	1.5	.2	9.0
2012–13	Houston	67	5	25.2	.405	.375	.857	3.3	2.0	1.0	.1	10.6
Career		507	170	22.8	.401	.365	.758	3.6	1.7	.9	.2	8.1

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2006	Detroit	8	0	4.0	.167	.500	1.000	.5	.3	.1	.0	.6
2007	Detroit	16	0	8.4	.405	.188	.667	1.3	.5	.3	.1	2.3
2008	Toronto	5	0	24.2	.405	.267	.900	4.8	2.2	.8	.0	8.6
2010	Milwaukee	7	7	32.3	.356	.405	.750	4.0	2.6	.7	.3	10.0
2013	Houston	5	0	24.0	.375	.355	1.000	2.4	2.0	.6	.2	9.0
Career		41	7	15.5	.373	.337	.846	2.2	1.2	.4	.1	4.9

EuroLeague

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG	PIR
2002–03	Bologna	16	15	31.8	.393	.291	.673	7.1	1.7	1.7	.3	12.0	13.4
2003–04	Bologna	21	16	30.9	.414	.338	.778	6.0	2.2	1.7	.1	12.4	13.7
2017–18	Baskonia	2	0	5.0	.000	.000	.000	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Career		39	31	31.3	.405	.314	.732	6.5	2.0	1.7	.2	12.2	13.6

References

1. El Madrid ficha a Delfino e incorpora a Mena y Lampe (in Spanish).
2. DELFINO, CARLOS NATIONALITY: ITALY
3. "Carlos Delfino nacionalidad | licencia: ITA | EUR {{in lang|es}}". Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
4. Smith, Doug (November 2, 2007). "Laid-back Delfino playing mean 'D'". The Star. Toronto. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
5. Raptors Acquire Carlos Delfino From Pistons, nba.com/raptors, Retrieved June 16, 2007.
6. Raptors Extend Qualifying Offer To Delfino
7. Raptorsrepublic.com Carlos Delfino's options.
8. Eurocup profile and stats.
9. "Bucks complete trade with Raptors". NBA.com. August 18, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
10. "Rockets Sign Carlos Delfino" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 14, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
11. "Houston Rockets waive Aaron Brooks and Carlos Delfino". Archived from the original on August 27, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
12. Bucks Sign Free Agent Guard-Forward Carlos Delfino
13. Moore, Matt (October 1, 2013). "Carlos Delfino suffers injury setback, out indefinitely". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
14. Clippers Acquire Carlos Delfino and Miroslav Raduljica
15. Clippers Waive Carlos Delfino And Miroslav Raduljica
16. "Boca Juniors signs Carlos Delfino". Sportando.com. March 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
17. "Baskonia keeps Delfino temporarily". Euroleague.net. September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
18. "Carlos Delfino finaliza su etapa en Baskonia". Saski Baskonia (in Spanish). October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
19. "Carlos Delfino sings with Fiat Torino". Sportando.basketball. July 3, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
20. "La Fortitudo Lavoropiu firma Carlos Delfino! Venerdì l'esordio in Coppa Italia". fortitudo103.it (in Italian). February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
21. "Carlos Delfino firma con la VL!" (in Italian). victorialibertas.it. July 7, 2020.
22. "Confirmados los 12 para los Juegos Olímpicos de Río" [12 confirmed for the Rio Olympic Games] (in Spanish). Confederación Argentina de Básquetbol. July 16, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
23. "Rio 2016 ARG - BRA Men's Preliminary Round Group B basketball game". Rio 2016 official page. August 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-16.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from NBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com
• Carlos Delfino at euroleague.net
• Carlos Delfino at acb.com (in Spanish)
• Carlos Delfino at legabasket.it (in Italian)
• Carlos Delfino at lastinbasket.com