Joseph Forte
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2007) |
| Fortitudo Bologna | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard |
| League | Italy |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 23, 1981 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 194 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | North Carolina |
| NBA draft | 2001: 21th overall |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Playing career | 2001–present |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| 2000 ACC Freshman of the year 2001 ACC Co-Player of the year | |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Joseph Xavier "Joe" Forte (born March 23, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays in Italy with Fortitudo Bologna.
Beginnings
Forte got his start at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. There, Forte played under the instruction of legendary high school prep coach Morgan Wootten. Forte's teammate at DeMatha, Keith Bogans, currently plays for the NBA's Orlando Magic.
Career highlights
After a 2-year college career at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (highlights of which included winning the 2000 ACC Rookie of the Year as well as 2001 ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year) that was marked by flashes brilliant play, he was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 21st pick in the 2001 NBA Draft (at a time when later star players Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas were still available on the guard position). His most memorable moment with the Celtics came when he wore a Scooby-Doo shirt on the sidelines during the playoffs. In two seasons with the Celtics and the Seattle SuperSonics, Forte averaged 1.2 points and 0.7 assists per game, struggling to convert from his natural shooting guard position to point guard. He was eventually waived by the Sonics due mostly to attitude and legal problems. While with the Sonics, he was arrested on gun and drug charges in Maryland, as well as an assault charge in which he allegedly punched a man in the face during a pickup game. After being released by the Sonics, Forte could not find a roster spot in the NBA. He later joined the Asheville Altitude of the NBA D-League. During the summer of 2005, Forte played with Team Certified of the EBC at Rucker Park, and many say it revived his career as a star basketball player. Forte showcased his talent to New York City, led Certified to the playoffs, and gained his confidence back. After the summer, he went off to Greece, and this past season for the Italian club Montepaschi Siena, which won the 2007 Italian championship. On July 2007 he signed with the Russian team UNICS Kazan.From January 2008 he will play in Fortitudo Upim Bologna until the end of the season but the franchise has an option for next's year contract
Family
His younger brother, Jason Forte, played college basketball for Brown University and was named Ivy League player of the year in 2004.[1][2]
External links