When last season ended, Simone Fontecchio and his wife only thought one thing. They wanted to stay in the same country and play basketball on the same team for the first time in four years.
Up to that point, Fontecchio's journey in professional basketball had been a whirlwind that would make even the most fervent of international travelers jealous. Over the past four years, he's suited up in four different countries, beginning with Italy (Reggio Emilia) in 2019, Germany (Alba Berlin) in 2020, Spain (Baskonia) in 2021, and the United States (Utah Jazz) in 2022.
Due to the journey that had filled their passports with stamps, Fontecchio's wife only had one plea this past April.
"She would tell me, 'This summer, please don't get traded," Fontecchio recalled with a laugh.
Now, nearly one-third into the season, Fontecchio and his family are still in the same place, and he's playing the best basketball at the highest level of his career. Amidst a season that has seen Utah deal with numerous injuries and players missing significant chunks of time, Fontecchio has emerged as a linchpin.
"He's been massive for us," head coach Will Hardy said Thursday night. "We got some glimpses of him last year, but I think this role that he's been in lately has allowed him to show a lot more of what he can do. You can just see it on his face every day. … You can see the way he's interacting with everybody and the way he moves around."
"There's a different confidence about Simo this year."
Hardy hasn't been the only one to notice the change in Fontecchio. He has seen it himself, crediting a level of comfort and understanding with his coaches and teammates that's sparked this breakout.
"It's just being around these guys and the one year. … More or less the same group as last year, so I kind of know what they do or what they want me to do," he said. "I understand my role right now. … I know what I'm supposed to do on the court, and I try to focus on that. I just feel more confident. … Everybody knows me more now, the staff knows me, it's just easier."
That confidence has shone through, culminating in a special showing Thursday night during Utah's 122-114 victory over the Trail Blazers.
He finished with 24 points and five made threes, both season-highs. If not for the large margin of victory that caused him to sit out the fourth quarter, Fontecchio probably set career highs in both categories. He also added four rebounds and shot 7-of-8 from the field.
"Always room for improvement," Hardy quipped when told about Fontecchio's shooting splits against Portland.
Fontecchio has scored in double figures in seven of his last 11 games, averaging 13.7 points on 39.7% (31-for-78) from three on high volume during that span. But as Hardy was quick to point out, part of what's allowed Fontecchio to break out this year is that he's much more than a shooter — a notion the Jazz were waiting to emerge.
"He is a good shooter, but he's not a shooter," Hardy said. "He cuts, he runs, he guards, he's athletic. … He's not just catch-and-shoot. He's not necessarily changing our opinion internally of him, but he may be changing a lot of people's opinions of him externally in terms of the type of player he is. … It's been great for everybody to see what we've seen every day that he's been here."
While the on-court part is clearly taking care of itself, Fontecchio admits that what's happening off the court and behind the scenes has changed everything for him.
"Four years ago, I was even dreaming of something like this," he said. "My daughter's going to school right now, but last year she wasn't going. My wife has her friends here, so she has relationships outside of the court. … But also me, we both have friends. Everything is just easier."
Hardy agrees with that sentiment, noting that he's worked with many international players and understands their issues when coming to the States to play. From the language barriers to finding a home, establishing a routine, and moving your family, all of that trumps the struggles of adjusting to life in the league.
But all of the hard work Fontecchio has put in to overcome those struggles is precisely why he's found a home in Utah. As Hardy looks to establish a new identity and team culture in just his second season, Fontecchio is everything Hardy wants in a player.
"He's a warrior," Hardy said. "His intensity day-to-day, his competitiveness on every possession is something that we are looking for in our program. I think Simone is a good representation of who we want to be. … Somebody that is maximizing everything he's got every single night. He doesn't make excuses, and is willing to just compete no matter what the scenario is."
"You can just see it on his face every day. … There's a different confidence about Simo this year," Hardy said. "I'm proud of the work that Simone is doing and has done. … And he knows there is more work ahead of him."