Michele Ruzzier

Michele Ruzzier (born February 9, 1993) is an Italian basketball professional player for Pallacanestro Varese of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) as a point guard. He has also played for the Italian national team.

Michele Ruzzier
No. 10 – Pallacanestro Varese
PositionPoint guard
LeagueLBA
Personal information
Born (1993-02-09) February 9, 1993
Trieste, Italy
NationalityItalian
Listed height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Listed weight80 kg (176 lb)
Career information
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2014Pallacanestro Trieste
2014–2017Reyer Venezia
2016–2017→Fortitudo Bologna
2017–2020Vanoli Cremona
2020–presentVarese
Medals
Men’s Basketball
Representing  Italy
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
2013 Tallinn National Team

Professional career

Ruzzier started playing for Azzurra Trieste in his native town, moving in 2010 to Pallacanestro Trieste, playing in the third division, to play for their Under 19 squad.[1]

Following injuries for the regular starters, Ruzzier was called to the first squad in early 2011, he alternated between the first and the U19 squad for the rest of the season. The next season, he would cement his place in the first squad, playing an average of 20 minutes per game as Trieste was promoted to Legadue.[1]

In 2013-14 the team finished above the relegation spots, Ruzzier was instrumental in the feat, one of the few starting Italian point guards, he improved all his personal stats on his way to a selection for the Legadue All-Star game in the squad coached by his club coach Eugenio Dalmasson.[2]

The higher exposure and level of play helped him achieve his lifelong goal, join a Serie A club, signing for the 2014-15 season with Dalmasson's former side Umana Reyer Venezia in neighbouring Veneto, the move was facilitated by a partnership between the two clubs.[3][4]

In July 2015, his contract with Reyer was extended for another season.[5]

Unfortunately, at the end of the 2019-20 season, after three seasons played with Cremona, he was released due to the club's financial problems.[6] He, then, signed a one year contract with Pallacanestro Varese with an option for the season 2021-22.[7]

International career

Ruzzier started playing for the Italian Under-20 side in 2013, he was a starter at the 2013 European Championship as Italy won the title.[8]

He has not yet participated in an official game for the senior national team.[9]

Player profile

A point guard who displays good maturity for his age, he tries to set the pace of the game, finding his teammates with passes. A good Pick and roll player, he prefers shooting from distance but can on occasion attack the rim, on a negative side his three point shot is too inconsistent.

On defense, he is always very focused but can struggle against quicker players due to poor lateral speed.[10][11]

Personal

As his father played basketball, in the amateur 4th division, Ruzzier was drawn to the sport, another basketball connection in his family is his uncle, coach Matteo Boniciolli.[12]

References
  1. "Ruzzier: "A dream come true. Now I'll have to learn so much".", La Nuova Venezia, Mestre, 7 July 2014. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.(in Italian)
  2. "All Star Game Legadue: the other call-ups.", Corriere dello Sport – Stadio, 21 January 2013. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.(in Italian)
  3. "Umana Reyer officially announces the recruiting of Michele Ruzzier.", Umana Reyer, 14 June 2014. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.(in Italian)
  4. "Ruzzier leaves Triest for the A1 in Venice.", Il Piccolo, Trieste, 18 June 2014. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.(in Italian)
  5. "Umana Reyer Venice keeps point guard Ruzzier". EurocupBasketball.com. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  6. @VanoliCremona (23 June 2020). "Per sempre uno di noi!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. "MICHELE RUZZIER È IL NUOVO PLAYMAKER DELLA PALLACANESTRO VARESE" (in Italian). pallacanestrovarese.it. 25 June 2020.
  8. "2013 U20 European Championship – Michele Ruzzier.", FIBA Europe. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.
  9. "Michele Ruzzier.", Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.(in Italian)
  10. "Michele Ruzzier." Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, Sigma Sports. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.
  11. Bortoluzzi, Davide. "Italy: Who is coming?.", Eurohopes, 30 December 2012. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.
  12. "Ruzzier, in the footsteps of uncle Boniciolli.", Il Piccolo, Trieste, 8 January 2007. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.(in Italian)
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