TORONTO (Ticker) — Bryan Colangelo is getting international with the NBA’s only true international franchise.
The Toronto Raptors on Thursday named Benetton Treviso general manager Maurizio Gherardini as the club’s vice president and assistant general manager.
The appointment of Gherardini is a strong indication that the Raptors may select Benetton Treviso center Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday’s draft.
Gherardini becomes the first European to hold a senior management position with an NBA franchise.
It is fitting that he was appointed by Colangelo, who leaned on international help as president and general manager of the Phoenix Suns before leaving to take over similar roles with the Raptors.
“We are thrilled to have a globally esteemed basketball executive like Maurizio Gherardini join the Toronto Raptors,” Colangelo said. “This is a ground breaking move for the league, appropriately with the NBA’s only true international franchise.”
Colangelo hired Suns coach Mike D’Antoni from the Italian League and acquired international talents such as Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw.
Gherardini, 51, has built Benetton Treviso into one of the most recognizable basketball organizations outside of the NBA. His squad captured the Italian Lega A championship Tuesday with a series win over Climamio Bologna. Benneton Treviso won four league championships (1997, 2002, 2003, 2006), seven Italian Cups, two Eurocups and made four appearances in the Euroleague semifinals.
Gherardini joined Benetton in 1992. Under his guidance, the club has become a training ground in Europe and a destination for NBA personnel to scout players. He has organized basketball camps, including the first coaches clinic in Europe.
