Virtus Segafredo Bologna has confirmed the signing of Jaleen Smith, who has penned a two-year contact with the Italian club. Smith (1.90 meters, 28 years old) has spent the last two seasons playing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with ALBA Berlin, most recently averaging 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a 10.7 PIR across 31 games in the 2022-23 campaign. This move to Virtus will see the American-born Croatia international play outside of Germany for the first time in his professional career.
Jaleen Smith heads to Virtus
Article
3 Mins read
Another scoring threat for Virtus
Smith has displayed his ability to score from all three levels over the last couple of seasons, regularly getting to the rim, knocking down three-pointers and hitting his free throws. During the 2022-23 campaign, for example, he went 47.1% on two-pointers, 37.4% from distance and 83.6% on free throws. With Virtus guard Marco Belinelli getting up there in age, Smith gives head coach Sergio Scariolo another weapon to either dovetail with the veteran or carry the load when he is resting on the bench.
What's more, following his rookie EuroLeague season in 2021-22 when he posted 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a 6.6 PIR, Smith was able to improve on all of those numbers in his sophomore campaign in the competition (11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 10.7 PIR). Virtus fans – and Coach Scariolo – will be hoping for another jump from the 28-year-old again, as the club looks to make the EuroLeague Playoffs and win back its Italian League crown, having lost to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in a seven-game finals series.
Smith adds to a wealth of options
In addition to Smith and Belinelli, Virtus and Coach Scariolo can also call upon the likes of Alessandro Pajola, Isaia Cordinier and Daniel Hackett at the two guard spots, as well as new signings Ognjen Dobric and Bruno Mascolo. Once training camp begins and the upcoming season gets even closer, these players will all be battling to try and force their way into the starting lineup, and Smith will no doubt fancy his chances.