Career: Virtus Bologna (Italy-Lega, 2001-03), Fortitudo Bologna (Italy-Lega, 2003-07)
Belinelli made his debut at the top level of international competition during the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He averaged 13.5 points per contest and immediately became the go-to-guy for the Italian National Team, earning the respect of the veterans on the team. "Beli" is a streaky shooter who is able to solve by himself the offensive struggles of a team like Italy which tends to be more defensively oriented. But Belinelli is something new in Italy's scenario. He is a very talented player that along with Bargnani and Gallinari is ready to write a different history for the Azzurri. Recalcati admitted that the team needs to change their style of play in the upcoming years because of the arrival of that this trio of players with more one-on-one ability. Belinelli is totally devoted (maybe too much so) to the Kobe Bryant style as evidenced by his fade-away off-balance jumpers. But he knows well enough that to be competitive at the top level. He has to improve his ability to put the ball on the floor and earn more free throws and improve his defense to something beyond just a desire to steal the ball. He declared himself as an early entry for the next NBA draft, one year before his normal year. The 25 points he scored against the US team in Sapporo during last summer's World Championship woke the rest of the world up to this amazing talent. | 
