The extraordinary career of Kyle Hines. Trinchieri brought him to Europe

The extraordinary career of Kyle Hines. Trinchieri brought him to Europe

Kyle Hines was born on 2 September 1986 in Sicklerville, and has had an unparalleled career. Andrea Trinchieri brought him to Europe in 2008

Kyle Hines was born on 2 September 1986 in Sicklerville, and has had an unparalleled career. Andrea Trinchieri brought him to Europe in 2008.

As Hines recalls: ‘We met for the first time in 2008 in Las Vegas. He invited me for dinner at McDonald’s, which was a bit strange for me. I was expecting a classy restaurant, as I was supposed to sign my first contract. Instead we were over a cheeseburger discussing Veroli Basket, his team. But he was convincing, he transferred all his energy to me’.

He is EuroLeague All-Time leader in games played (425) and offensive rebounds won (824). He announces today, 4 September 2024, his retirement from playing basketball.

Kyle Hines, career

Kyle Hines played in Europe for Veroli (2008-2010), Brose Bamberg (2010-11), Olympiacos Piraeus (2011-13), CSKA Moscow (2013-20) and Olimpia Milano (2020-24), starting and ending his European career in Italy.

He won four EuroLeague titles (2012, 2013, 2016, 2019) and was named the competition’s best defender three times (2016, 2018, 2022). He was also included in the EuroLeague 2010-20 All-Decade Team.

In 425 EuroLeague games, including 160 as a starter, Hines averaged 7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 10.1 rating.

In addition to his EuroLeague successes, he also won everything at club level:

3-time LBA champion (2022, 2023, 2024)
2-time Italian Cup winner (2021, 2022)
6-time VTB United League champion (2014-2019)
Greek league champion (2012)
Bundesliga champion (2011)
German Cup winner (2011)

Hines has never played in the NBA. After being discarded in 2008, he joined the Charlotte Bobcats for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He was later offered a spot in the NBA D-League, but chose to decline.

In 2009, he returned to the Summer League and played with the Orlando Magic. The following year, in 2010, Hines played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the Summer League, but did not get an NBA contract. He was brought to Italy by Andrea Trinchieri, current coach of Zalgiris Kaunas.

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