Quick Facts
Biography
Antonello Riva (born 28 February 1962 in Rovagnate) is an Italian retired professional basketball player. At 6'5" (1.96 m), he played at the shooting guard and small forward positions. He was nicknamed "Nembo Kid". He was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991. In 2004, he was given a trophy to mark his being the top scorer of all-time in the Italian League, with 14,399 points scored. He is also the all-time leading scorer in the history of the senior men's Italian national basketball team, with 3,785 points scored. In 2008, he was named one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.
Playing career
Riva started playing basketball in the 1977–78 season. He played almost his entire career with Cantù (1977–1989), with whom he won the FIBA European Champions Cup (now called EuroLeague) twice, in the seasons 1981–82 and 1982–83. He also won an Italian League championship in 1981.
He also played for Olimpia Milano (1989–1994, with whom he won the FIBA Korać Cup in 1993), Victoria Libertas Pesaro (1994–1996), Dinamica Gorizia (Italian 2nd Division, 1996–1998), Cantù (1998–2002), and Sebastiani Rieti (Italian 2nd Division, 2004).
Post playing career
Riva founded a new basketball team in 2002. He won a career trophy for being the Italian League's best scorer of all-time, with 14,399 points scored, in 2004.
Personal
Riva is a keen skier.