Dino Meneghin
Inducted:
2003
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
243 lb (110 kg)
Born
18 January 1950
Alano di Piave, Italy
Position
Center
College
NA
Dino Meneghin, affectionately known as "SuperDino," is widely considered the greatest Italian basketball player of all time and a foundational figure in European basketball history. A 6'9" center with a body like a "Greek god," Meneghin was a relentless warrior whose career spanned an astounding 28 seasons (1966–1994). He was the cornerstone of two of the greatest dynasties in European club history: Pallacanestro Varese in the 1970s and Olimpia Milano in the 1980s.
Meneghin holds a legendary status in the NBA's international history; in 1970, he became one of the first two European players ever drafted into the NBA when the Atlanta Hawks selected him in the 11th round. Despite further interest from the New York Knicks in 1974, he chose to remain in Europe, as joining the NBA would have stripped him of his "amateur" status and prevented him from playing for the Italian National Team. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Meneghin's Awards and Records
- FIBA Hall of Fame (2010)
- 2x Mister Europa Player of the Year (1980, 1983)
- 4× FIBA World Cup for Clubs champion: (1967, 1970, 1973, 1987)
- Euroscar Player of the Year (1983)
- FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991)
- EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer: (1974)
- European Champion (1983 EuroBasket Gold)
- 4x Intercontinental Cup Champion
NBA Team
Pallacanestro Varese (1966–1981)
Olimpia Milano (1981–1990,1993–1994)
Pallacanestro Trieste (1990–1993)
National Team:
Italy
NBA Draft
1970: 11th round, 182nd overall pick
Atlanta Hawks
NBA Stats
Seasons Played:
28 (1966–1994)
EuroLeague Titles:
7 (Most all-time by a player)
Italian League Titles:
12
Italian League Games:
836 (8,560 points)
National Team Appearances:
271
Olympic Medals:
1 (Silver, 1980)