Danilo Gallinari, aka "The Rooster," came into the NBA in 2008 when he was selected sixth overall by the New York Knicks. He spent two-and-half seasons with the Knicks, playing in only 157 games before being dealt to the Denver Nuggets.
Gallinari was a part of a Knicks package that included Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, a 2014 first-round draft pick, two future second-round picks and additional cash that shipped All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to New York in 2011.
Since then, Gallinari has played for four teams: the Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks. The Boston Celtics are his fifth NBA team.
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Danilo Gallinari's bio
- Height: 6-foot-10
- Weight: 225 pounds
- Birthdate (age): Aug. 8, 1988 (33)
- Birthplace: Sant'Angelo Lodigiano, Italy
- College: N/A (started his pro career in Italy)
- NBA experience: 14 years
- Jersey number: 8
Danilo Gallinari’s career NBA and professional basketball stats
Here are some of Gallinari’s notable career achievements and statistics:
- Italian League MVP (2008)
- 2x Italian League Best Player U-22 (2007, 2008)
- EuroLeague Rising Star (2008)
- FIBA Europe U20 Champion (2007)
- FIBA Serbia and Montenegro U18 Champion (2005)
- 2008 NBA Draft First-Round Selection (6th overall)
- Career NBA averages (through 2021-22 season)
- 15.6 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds per game
- 1.9 assists per game
- 87.7% free throw percentage
- 42.8% field goal percentage
- 38.2% 3-point field goal percentage
Here are Danilo Gallinari's contract details with the Celtics
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Gallinari signed a two-year, $13.3 million deal with the Boston Celtics on July 8, 2022, just after officially clearing waivers following his release from the San Antonio Spurs.
Danilo Gallinari's professional career start
Unlike many NBA draft prospects who come up through the ranks of college basketball, Gallinari got his first taste of pro ball in his native country of Italy. He spent his first four professional years playing the Casalpusterlengo, Edimes Pavia, Olimpia Milano from 2004 to 2008.
During his final season in Europe with Milano (2007-08), he averaged 17.5 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.3 assists. His player earned him Italian League MVP honors, and he was also named EuroLeague’s Rising Star.
Meet Danilo Gallinari’s family
The Gallinari name is no stranger to the hardwood. Danilo’s father, Vittorio Gallinari spent his professional years playing for teams like Virtus Segafredo Bolgna, Tezenis Verona and Libertas Livorno 1947 in Italy’s LBA Serie A league.
Interestingly enough, Vittorio played alongside future NBA coach Mike D’Antoni with Olimpia Milano in Italy. Danilo’s father also had the opportunity to play with five-time NBA champion Bob McAdoo.
Perhaps it's surprise that Danilo flourished into one of Europe’s top basketball prospects coming into the 2008 NBA Draft, as he had a prime example of success right at home.
Danilo Gallinari is married to Italian sports journalist and TV personality Eleonora Boi, with the couple officially tying the knot on July 23, 2022. They celebrated their wedding on the coast of Sardinia in Italy.
Boi studies at the University of Cagliari. She was born on July 21, 1986, and is from Cagliari, Italy. Her and Danilo have a young daughter, Anastasia Gallinari, who was born in December 2020.
Danilo Gallinari outside of basketball
Gallinari didn’t necessarily get off to the professional start he was looking for with the Knicks in 2008 but still signed a shoe deal with Reebok. The shoe was dubbed “The Rooster” after his nickname. He was seen during games rocking the Reebok Zig Slash shoes and even received a PE (player exclusive) colorway during his time with the Knicks.
The success of the shoe is for anyone’s interpretation, but Gallinari joins a list of NBA players who received their own signature silhouette like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, LeBron James, James Harden and Patrick Ewing, just to name a few.