Achille Polonara

Achille Polonara (born November 23, 1991) is an Italian professional basketball player for Kirolbet Baskonia of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He plays primarily as power forward.

Achille Polonara
Polonara playing for Cimberio Varese
No. 33 – Kirolbet Baskonia
PositionPower forward / Small forward
LeagueLiga ACB
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1991-11-23) November 23, 1991
Ancona, Italy
NationalityItalian
Listed height2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight90 kg (198 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2013 / Undrafted
Playing career2009–present
Career history
2009–2012Teramo
2012–2014Varese
2014–2017Reggiana
2017–2019Dinamo Sassari
2019–presentBaskonia
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Italy
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
2011 Spain

Professional career

Teramo Basket

After progressing through the youth ranks of Banca Tercas Teramo, Polonara debuted in the first division, the Serie A, on the first game of 2009-10 though he rarely featured that season and played sparingly the next.

He played more regularly during the 2011-12 season with 8.2 points and 4,5 rebounds in 15.6 minutes on average, some coming from a stellar performance against Fabi Shoes Montegranaro in April with 34 points (13/14 from the field) and 9 rebounds for a valuation of 46.[1] This helped the youngster win the Best Player Under 22 award for the season.[2] He was also selected (as a replacement) for the Serie A All Star Game.[3]

Cimberio Varese

Teramo was struggling financially and filed for bankruptcy during the summer of 2012, forcing Polonara to find a new club, which he did in July, signing a 3-year contract containing various escape clauses with Cimberio Varese.[4] Both parties profited from the deal as Polonara contributed 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 23 minutes per game to help the side finish first in the 2012-13 regular season. He posted 5.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 15 minutes per game in the playoffs as Varese took eventual champions Montepaschi Siena to a seventh game in the semifinals. Polonara was named as the Best Player Under 22 for the second successive season.[5]

The next season saw major players such as Bryant Dunston leave the side,[6] which meant Polonara accrued more playing time. However, Varese had an anonymous season, losing to Oldenburg in the Euroleague qualifying rounds despite Polonara's team high 18 points to exit Europe's premier competition.[7] Demoted to the European second tier EuroCup, Varese finished last in group C to also exit the competition, with Polonara posting 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.[8] The team also finished out of playoff contention in the league, though he had figures of 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. The Anconan received a third successive call up to the All Star Game, played in his hometown, winning the Slam Dunk contest.[9]

Varese lost its main sponsor during the off-season, meaning that Polonara's reported €180,000 final contract year was too costly, he wasn't prepared to take a pay cut and wanted to play in a European competition to keep progressing so left the side.[10]

Pallacanestro Reggiana

Polonara joined Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia in July 2014, signing a three-year contract (with a mutual escape clause after the second year) with the EuroCup playing side.[8] He cited Reggio's practice of playing young Italians as a factor in the decision.[11]

Though Reggio were eliminated in the Eurocup group stage, Polonara started all games, ending as the team's second best scorer (11ppg) and best rebounder (6.4rpg) for a team second 14.3 valuation.[12] He even picked up a (shared) Round 7 MVP award after a determinant contribution to the November 2014 win over Paris-Levallois.[13]

Polonara had his breakout year in the Serie A, playing more minutes (31.1) than any other teammate, he also finished as second best scorer and best rebounder to earn the highest valuation of the team.[14] His figures of 8.4 rebounds and 18.1 in valuation per game also ranked him 5th in the league for each, with Gazzetta choosing him as their second most improved player for 2014-15.[15]

Baskonia

On August 28, 2019, Polonara signed a two-year deal with Spanish EuroLeague club Kirolbet Baskonia.[16] He won the Spanish league with Baskonia in the 2019-2020 season. On July 3, 2020, Polonara renewed his contract with the Basques.[17]

International career

Polonara started playing for the youth squads of the Italian national team, first with the Under-18's at the 2009 European Championship. He notably won the silver medal with the U20's at the 2011 European Championship where he was an important contributor, including being the best performer in the semifinal against France.[18]

Polonara was called up to the preliminary squad of the senior team as a temporary replacement for the injured Nicolò Melli as they prepared for EuroBasket 2013.[19] However he himself later picked an ankle injury and was dropped from the squad.[20] He would rejoin the senior side in 2014, scoring 20 points on his genuine (discounting the All Star Game) debut against German, he then became a regular in Italy squads.[21]

Participating in the successful EuroBasket 2015 qualification, he played in all 4 games with an average of 3.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.5 minutes.[22] He was called up to the squad that would take part in EuroBasket 2015 to start on 5 September.[23]

Player profile

A left handed stretch four, his athleticism is his primary strength. He's an explosive and energetic player,[24] who's quick and has a great vertical leap, the latter of which has seen him colloquially nicknamed “PolonAir”.[25]

Rebounding is his statistical strength on both ends of the court,[26] using his instincts and speed to surprise opponents.

In attack he's tough to defend as he can operate on the perimeter, where he's able to beat bigger and slower defenders with a fast first-step or punish loose marking with his jump shot. His great wingspan makes him even more potent, whilst he's also effective and smooth on the floor where he can cover ground quickly. On the defensive side, besides rebounding, he's a great shot blocker thanks to his good timing and balance and also a good pick and roll defender who can switch with the guards thanks to his lateral speed and wingspan.[24][26]

A mayor negative is his lanky frame,[26] it can see him struggle defending against inside players or muscular guards, in offense it also limits his post move when he's back to the basket, making him an imperfect fit for the 4 position. For the 3 position, he lacks safe ball-handling on the dribble and needs to develop his shooting options to be a better fit and develop from his Tweener status.[24]

However, he has regularly been noted for his work ethic and determination,[24][26] helping him improve year on year to add a solid three pointer and the ability to score in traffic to his offensive repertoire,[25] for future development he identifies defensive concentration, 1vs.1 play, especially with the right hand, and better three point shooting as priorities.[27]

Personal

Achille credits his older brother Valerio, who has had a career in the Italian lower leagues, as inspiring him to become a basketball player, the brothers (separated in age by 7 years) are very close.[28]

His nephew, Michele Serpilli, also plays basketball, with the Pesaro youth teams, he reportedly is an admirer of Polonara.[27]

He cites Amedeo Della Valle, Riccardo Cervi, Giovanni Pini and Adam Pechacek as his closest teammates at Reggio Emilia.[27]

Career statistics

Sources: EuroCup (2014,[29] 2015),[30] Serie A[31]

EuroCup
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.

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2013–14 Cimberio Varese 101025.327.831.862.53.61.11.00.57.26.0
2014–15 Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia 101030.940.628.976.76.41.31.10.611.014.3
Career 202028.135.730.371.75.01.21.00.59.110.1

Domestic leagues
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  PPG  Points per game
 2P%  Two-point field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  BPG  Blocks per game
 SPG  Steals per game  TOPG  Turnovers per game  Bold  Career high
Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG PPG 2P% 3P% FT% RPG APG BPG SPG TOPG
2009–10 Banca Tercas Teramo 505.02.075.050.0100.00.40.00.20.40.2
2010–11 26111.63.038.610.071.83.20.40.90.60.7
2011–12 32015.68.270.834.163.34.50.70.70.71.2
2012–13 Cimberio Varese 28722.99.554.334.263.65.41.00.61.61.4
2013–14 303026.610.559.333.674.64.81.10.40.71.0
2014–15 Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia 302731.112.057.837.562.78.41.40.80.91.0
Career 1516521.18.558.233.966.55.10.90.60.91.0
Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG PPG 2P% 3P% FT% RPG APG BPG SPG TOPG
2012–13 Cimberio Varese 12114.85.850.033.377.83.40.70,00.80.8
Career 12114.85.850.033.377.83.40.70,00.80.8

Honours

Individual

Team

International
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References
  1. "Hairston punisce l'Acea, Polonara castiga la Fabi" [Hairston punishes Acea, Polonara chastises Fabi]. Corriere dello Sport – Stadio (in Italian). Roma. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  2. "Serie A, l'Mvp è Bo McCalebb. Sacchetti allenatore dell'anno" [Serie A, the MVP is Bo McCalebb. Sacchetti coach of the year]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Milan. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. "Edison All Star Game 2012. Achille Polonara sostituisce Alessandro Gentile" [Edison All Star Game 2012. Achille Polonara replaces Alessandro Gentile]. Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro (in Italian). 7 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  4. "Cimberio, la squadra è fatta. Oggi colpo finale: l'esterno Usa" [Cimberio, the squad is formed. Today the final piece: an American guard]. La Provincia di Varese.it (in Italian). 24 July 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. "Datome replicates Gallinari's feat". FIBA Europe. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. Cirelli, Matteo (19 August 2013). "Basket, primo giorno di lavoro per Varese. Frates: "Milano nettamente favorita"" [Basketball: first workday for Varese. Frates: "Milan by far the favourite"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport Milano (in Italian). Milan. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  7. "2013-14 Qualifying Round 1: Cimberio Varese - EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Report)". Euroleague. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  8. "Achille Polonara signs with Reggio Emilia". Eurocup Basketball. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  9. "Qui credono negli italiani. Varese leale, umile, vera" [Here they believe in Italians. Varese is loyal, humble and true]. La Provincia di Varese.it (in Italian). 15 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  10. "Basket, Reggio ha in pugno Polonara" [Basketball, Reggio has Polonara in its hands]. Gazzetta di Reggio (in Italian). Reggio Emilia. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  11. "Triennale per Achile Polonara" [Achille Polonara for three years]. Pallacanestro Reggiana (in Italian). 22 July 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  12. "Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia – Stats (2014-15)". Eurocup Basketball. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  13. "Regular Season Round 7 co-MVPs: Achille Polonara, Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia and Romeo Travis, Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd". Eurocup Basketball. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  14. "Serie A, 2014/2015". Pallacanestro Reggiana (in Italian). Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  15. "Basket, i premi Gazzetta: Samuels giocatore dell'anno, poi Peric, Brooks e Vitali" [Basketball, the Gazzetta awards: Samuels player of the year before Peric, Brooks and Vitali]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Milan. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  16. "Baskonia lands Polonara at frontcourt". EuroLeague.net. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  17. "Baskonia keeps Achille Polonara one more season". Sportando. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  18. "Under20 European Championship 2011: France - Italy". FIBA Europe. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  19. "Italy sweep at Trentino cup". FIBA Europe. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  20. "Italy sweat over Bargnani health". FIBA Europe. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  21. "Achille Polonara". Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro (in Italian). Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  22. "Achille Polonara (Italy)". EuroBasket 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  23. "Italy take their dream roster to Berlin". FIBAEurope.com. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  24. Bortoluzzi, Davide; Neri, Lorenzo (24 December 2012). "Scouting the Draft-Eligible European Prospects: Achille Polonara". Eurohopes.com. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  25. ""Polonair", ala da guerra" [Polonair", war forward]. Gazzetta di Reggio (in Italian). Reggio Emilia. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  26. Givony, Jonathan (3 December 2010). "European Roundup: Dominant Donatas". DraftExpress.com. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  27. Pigozzi, Linda (13 May 2015). "Voglio la Grissin Bon in Eurolega fra le big" [I want Grissin Bon in the Euroleague with the bigs]. Gazzetta di Reggio (in Italian). Reggio Emilia. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  28. "Conosciamo meglio Valerio Polonara" [Get to know Valerio Polonara better]. LegaPallacanestro.com (in Italian). 20 November 2014. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  29. "Polonara, Achille – 2013-14 Statistics". Eurocup Basketball. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  30. "Polonara, Achille – 2014-15 Statistics". Eurocup Basketball. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  31. "Polonara Achille - Statistiche individuali" [Polonara Achille - Individual statistics]. Lega Basket Serie A (in Italian). Retrieved 29 June 2015.
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