Drake Diener
 | |
| No. 16 – Pallacanestro Reggiana | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard |
| League | Lega Basket Serie A |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
December 19, 1981 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
Goodrich (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) |
| College | DePaul (2001–2005) |
| NBA draft | 2005 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2006–present |
| Career history | |
| 2006–2007 | Ignis Castelletto Ticino |
| 2007–2008 | Orlandina Basket |
| 2008 | Montepaschi Siena |
| 2008–2009 | Scandone Avellino |
| 2009–2011 | Teramo Basket |
| 2011–2014 | Dinamo Sassari |
| 2014–present | Pallacanestro Reggiana |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Drake Richard Diener (born December 19, 1981) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays Pallacanestro Reggiana of the Lega Basket Serie A. He played college basketball at DePaul University.
Career
Drake Diener joins DePaul Blue Demons in 2001 where he is nominated best player in the team for 2 years consecutively. In 2005 Diener is diagnosed with stomach cancer originated by Chron's disease, the player undergoes two delicate surgical operations which take him off the court for one year compromising his chances of getting drafted in the NBA.
In June 2006, Diener signed his first professional contract with Ignis Castelletto Ticino of the Italian Second Division.[1] Thanks to a good season there the following year he signs for Orlandina Basket in the Italian First Division. Soon becoming the top scorer of the Italian top league, in February 2008 he signed with Montepaschi Siena.[2] During that season in Siena, Diener contributes to the winning of the Italian championship and to reaching the 3rd place in the Euroleague.
In October 2008, Diener signed a one-year deal with Scandone Avellino where he has again the chance to play in the Euroleague.[3]
In July, 2009 Diener signed a two-year deal with Teramo Basket.[4] During his stay in Abruzzo Drake enjoys great success confirming himself as one of the best players in the Italian league and the main contributor to the permanence of Teramo in the top division.
In July 2011, he signed a one-year deal Dinamo Sassari where after 10 years, since Goodrich high school, he reunited with his cousin and former NBA point guard Travis Diener.[5] In June 2012, he re-signed with Sassari for one more season.[6] In July 2013, he again re-signed with Sassari, this time for two years.[7] On March 16, 2014 Diener scores 44 points against Reyer Venezia Mestre making his career high.[8] He helped his team to win the Italian Cup in 2014. He was also named the MVP of the Serie A 2013–14 season.[9] In June 2014, he left Dinamo Sassari.[10]
On July 23, 2014, Diener signed with Pallacanestro Reggiana.[11][12]
Personal
Diener suffered from Crohn's disease.
During his 2 years in Teramo he earned the nickname of "Il Drago" (the Dragon) due to the similar sound of his first name to the Italian word.
His cousin Travis Diener also plays for Dinamo Sassari.
References
- ↑ Drake Diener to Play in Italy
- ↑ Montepaschi Siena signs combo guard Drake Diener
- ↑ Avellino tabs Drake Diener
- ↑ Diener lands in Teramo
- ↑ Dinamo Sassari announces Drake Diener
- ↑ Dinamo Sassari officially keeps Travis and Drake Diener
- ↑ Dinamo Sassari officially re-signed Drake Diener
- ↑ Watch all of Drake Diener's buckets in his 44-points showcase
- ↑ Serie A, Drake Diener l'Mvp della stagione (Italian)
- ↑ Drake Diener to leave Banco di Sardegna Sassari
- ↑ DRAKE DIENER E' BIANCOROSSO (Italian)
- ↑ Drake Diener officially signs with Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia
External links
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