Walter Magnifico
Walter Magnifico (born June 18, 1961 in San Severo, Italy) is a former Italian professional basketball player and coach. At a height of 2.09 m (6'10 1⁄4") tall, he played at the power forward and center positions. He is considered to be one of the best Italian basketball players ever, and he was among the 105 player nominees for the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors list.
Walter Magnifico, 1975 | |||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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Born | San Severo, Italy | June 18, 1961||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Italian | ||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 10.25 in (2.09 m) | ||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1979–2004 | ||||||||||||||||
Position | Power forward / Center | ||||||||||||||||
Coaching career | 2004–2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||||
As player: | |||||||||||||||||
1979–1980 | Fortitudo Bologna | ||||||||||||||||
1980–1996 | VL Pesaro | ||||||||||||||||
1996–1997 | Virtus Bologna | ||||||||||||||||
1997–1998 | Virtus Roma | ||||||||||||||||
1998–2001 | VL Pesaro | ||||||||||||||||
2003–2004 | Pallacanestro Firenze | ||||||||||||||||
2004 | NSB Rieti | ||||||||||||||||
As coach: | |||||||||||||||||
2004–2006 | NSB Rieti (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||
2007 | Cestistica San Severo | ||||||||||||||||
2009 | Foligno Basket | ||||||||||||||||
2012–2013 | Misano Pirates (Under-19 team) | ||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||
As a player:
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Medals
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Professional career
After playing with the junior teams of Cestistica San Severo, Magnifico spent most of his pro career with VL Pesaro, thus becoming one of the club's emblems. While in Pesaro, he led his team to a Saporta Cup title in 1983, two Italian League championships, in 1988 and 1990, and to two Italian Cup titles, in 1985 and 1992. He also won a third Italian Cup, after his transfer to Virtus Bologna, in 1997.
Italian national team
Magnifico was a regular member of the senior Italian national basketball team. He helped Italy win the bronze medal at the 1985 EuroBasket, and the silver medal at the 1991 EuroBasket.