James Gist signs in Italy

[loveforthegame]

I'm moving to Vicenza in a few months. It's really not that far to go to Biella from there. Maybe I'll have to go see Gist play this season?

That would be cool if you could see him play and give a report or two.

[Spurs Brazil]

Gist in Italy: James Gist, the power forward from Maryland the Spurs made the 57th selection in the 2008 draft, signed a contract Monday to play for Angelico Biella, according to the Italian League team's Web site.

Gist, 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, played well for the Spurs' summer league team in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. However, he likely would have spent most of the season with the Spurs' D-League team in Austin had he signed an NBA contract. By playing in Italy, Gist can get significant playing time without costing the Spurs a roster spot.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...action100.html

[rAm]

Gist in Italy: James Gist, the power forward from Maryland the Spurs made the 57th selection in the 2008 draft, signed a contract Monday to play for Angelico Biella, according to the Italian League team's Web site.

Gist, 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, played well for the Spurs' summer league team in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. However, he likely would have spent most of the season with the Spurs' D-League team in Austin had he signed an NBA contract. By playing in Italy, Gist can get significant playing time without costing the Spurs a roster spot.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...action100.html

...and never play in the NBA again

[Darkwaters]

Yea, I'm getting stationed out at the 173rd Airborne in Vicenza, Italy (basically the only unit we have in Italy) in January. Biella is not too far at all. I will definitely find some time to get out there and see that old Terrapin play some Italian Bball. I'll wear my Manu Spurs jersey and see if I can't get his attention!

I'll make sure to send pictures and whatnot.

[Gino2882]

This really makes it tough to be a fan of young Spurs players. They for whatever reasons either end up not making it over or not being signed...

I am a huge baseball fan and love discussing prospects but with the Spurs that is never a possibility.

[Fabfrombiella]

Some info about Biella :
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...r-Italy--2369/

It sounds like a good place for a NCAA player without pro experience.

I'm agree with you, Bruno. I'm from Biella and I'm sure that next year experience for Gist will be a good experience. Biella is not the best italian basket team as european experience, but is very easy to play basketball in Biella: good place, good staff, ecc.
For Gist, and Plaisted too, there will be the opportunity to grove up in a good league, in a team that in the past launched players like Sefolosha.
I'm absolutly sure that one of the better european league (Spain, Italy, Greece, Russia) is the best way, for a young american player, to make a concrete growth (more contacts, more defense for example) . Better than a Nbadl experience or a 11th place into an nba roster.

[Bruno]

Biella played its first friendly game of the season few days ago.
Gist was the leading scorer with 20 points.

[urunobili]

Biella played its first friendly game of the season few days ago.
Gist was the leading scorer with 20 points.

Thanks Bruno

[timvp]

Biella played its first friendly game of the season few days ago.
Gist was the leading scorer with 20 points.

Nice find

Got a boxscore? Interested in trying to figure out which position he's playing.

[Bruno]

Got a boxscore? Interested in trying to figure out which position he's playing.

No boxscore, only points scored :
http://www.pallacanestrobiella.it/pa...tt.php?id=1357

The starting 5 was Smith, Gaines, Aradori, Gist and Garri. Given these players' profiles, Gist obviously played PF.

The other team was a team that plays in the Italian second division but it's always a good news to see Gist doing well for his first euro game.

[timvp]

No boxscore, only points scored :
http://www.pallacanestrobiella.it/pa...tt.php?id=1357

The starting 5 was Smith, Gaines, Aradori, Gist and Garri. Given these players' profiles, Gist obviously played PF.

The other team was a team that plays in the Italian second division but it's always a good news to see Gist doing well for his first euro game.

Is Plaisted on the team?

[Solid D]

Is Plaisted on the team?

ANGELICO BIELLA-CIMBERIO VARESE 92-79
(18-16; 45-39; 68-64)
ANGELICO BIELLA: Smith 16, Gaines 13, Aradori 15, Gist 20, Garri 10, Spinelli 6, Plaisted 6, Rotondo 2, Zengo abengoa 4, Raspino, Danna, Margheri. All.: Bechi

[Obstructed_View]

If he's playing PF, then I'm not sure why the Spurs would have thought it was a good idea for him to go there. He could get force fed some minutes at the 3 for the Toros.

[Bruno]

If he's playing PF, then I'm not sure why the Spurs would have thought it was a good idea for him to go there. He could get force fed some minutes at the 3 for the Toros.

It's far from sure that Spurs see Gist future in the NBA as a 3.

[DPG21920]

Just because he is playing pf there does not mean he is not playing against guys who would be 3's in the nba. I mean he is probably playing against guys 6'6-6'8 that have skill sets like sf's.

[Obstructed_View]

It's far from sure that Spurs see Gist future in the NBA as a 3.

I've considered that possibility, as well. That would be unfortunate, because you can expect to see his rights traded away if they lack the imagination to see him as anything but a PF.

[Bruno]

Points scored by Gist during friendly games : 20, 9, 14, 12, 24 and 14.
The Italian league starts in 15 days.
The good news is that Gist seems to play well and should get a lot of playing time this year.

[Sissiborgo]

My man gone i am still pissed damn i wanted him to play for the Spurs...

[tp2021]

Any updates? Darkwaters?

[ChumpDumper]

http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=ITA&Team=2106

[Darkwaters]

Any updates? Darkwaters?

No, I'm in San Antonio right now. I won't be back in Italy until the new year.

[wisnub]

James Gist is a prospect that could add a lot of versatilty to our roster by his abili y to be an active defender and be active around the rim offensively. If he continues to work hard I could see him being a contributor off the bench come 2010. Even though many fans want to see him don the silver and black this year, it's unrealistic because of the signing of roger mason at the wing along with finley. Minutes just wouldnt be there. For him to go overseas would be ideal.

I thought Gist played big man, like PF? Even though he played SF, he's better than Udoka. Finley should play SG, and sometimes Mason play PG even though he;s a SG so that will not count. Spurs need guys like Gist NOW!!! He is not ideal going to overseas..he should be in Silver and black and learning directly from the veterans now. "For him to go overseas would be ideal." would be just to calm our emotion and looking at development of Lakers,Bostondo you still think we dont need extra guys like him?? But i understand your point, after all this is not the first time...Scola deal,Spiltter, etc many comments which made to build trust for Spurs organization and after i think it for a while..perhaps you are right and i am wrong.