Donte Divincenzo Biography
American professional basketball player Donte DiVincenzo was born on January 31, 1997, and he now plays for the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s New York Knicks. He was a collegiate basketball player for the Villanova Wildcats, where he was named the 2018 Final Four Most Outstanding Player (MOP) and helped the team win national titles in 2016 and 2017. Before being sold to the Sacramento Kings the following season, DiVincenzo won his first title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, having been chosen with the 17th overall choice by the team in the 2018 NBA draft.
Donte Divincenzo Early life and high school career
Delaware’s Newark is where DiVincenzo was born. DiVincenzo played soccer as a child and then switched to basketball in high school. He was a student at Salesianum School, where he helped the squad win two straight state titles. As a junior, he participated in the Nike EYBL for Team Final and averaged 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. During his final year, DiVincenzo averaged 22.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. In 2015, he was selected the Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year by the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association.
Donte Divincenzo College career
During his true freshman year at Villanova, DiVincenzo made nine appearances before missing time due to a fractured fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. In his redshirt freshman campaign the next year, DiVincenzo averaged 3.8 rebounds and 8.8 points per game. On January 14, 2017, he finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in a 70–57 win over St. John’s.
In a 108–67 victory over St. John’s on March 9, DiVincenzo recorded a season-high 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists. He led his team to a 76–56 victory over Mount St. Mary’s in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament with 21 points and 13 rebounds. DiVincenzo was selected as the Philadelphia Big Five Rookie of the Year and included in the Big East All-Freshman team.
On February 10, 2018, DiVincenzo, a redshirt sophomore, defeated Butler 86–75 with a then-career-high 30 points. He received the Big East Sixth Man of the Year award at the end of the regular season. DiVincenzo defeated Texas Tech 71–59 in the Elite Eight of the 2018 NCAA Tournament with 12 points and 8 rebounds. After their championship victory over Michigan, where he scored a career-high 31 points (including five three-pointers), grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists, and blocked two shots, DiVincenzo was awarded the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Furthermore, he recorded the highest point total for a player coming off the bench in an NCAA Final Four game.
Sportscaster Gus Johnson gave DiVincenzo the nickname “Big Ragu” after his game-winning tip on January 29, 2017, against the University of Virginia, gave Villanova the victory. He was given the moniker supposedly because of his red hair and Italian ancestry. The nickname “Big Ragu” was most likely coined by Johnson in reference to another Italian character from the 1970s–1980s sitcom Laverne & Shirley, Carmine Ragusa.
DiVincenzo left open the possibility of returning to Villanova when he declared for the 2018 NBA draft on April 19, 2018, without using an agency. DiVincenzo declared on May 29, 2018, that he would forgo his remaining two years of Villanova eligibility in order to stay in the draft and sign with an agency.
Donte Divincenzo Professional career
Milwaukee Bucks (2018–2022)
DiVincenzo was the second of four Villanova players drafted that year when he was chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 17th overall choice in the 2018 NBA draft on June 21, 2018. The Milwaukee Bucks made the announcement that DiVincenzo has signed on July 10, 2018. Due to a foot injury, he missed the majority of his rookie campaign. During his second season, in an early November victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, he scored a career-high 17 points.
On December 16, 2019, in a 120-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, DiVincenzo finished with 5 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals. On January 16, 2020, DiVincenzo defeated the Boston Celtics 128–123 while scoring 19 points and grabbing 3 rebounds. He would finish the season with the third-best defensive rating in the league (teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo ranking first).
On May 4, 2021, DiVincenzo defeated the Brooklyn Nets 124–118, scoring 10 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. He was a member of the 2021 NBA Finals team that finally earned a championship ring, but he was sidelined after the first round of play because of a serious left ankle injury he sustained against the Miami Heat. Milwaukee was seen to be hindered by his injury since they had not anticipated having to use reserve players Pat Connaughton and P. J. Tucker so regularly in the postseason.
After missing six months of action, DiVincenzo returned to the floor on December 25, 2021, when he scored three points and pulled down two rebounds in 15 minutes of action as the Boston Celtics were defeated 117–113. On January 22, 2022, DiVincenzo defeated the Sacramento Kings 133–127 while scoring a season-high 20 points.
Sacramento Kings (2022)
In a four-team transaction that sent Serge Ibaka to the Bucks on February 10, 2022, DiVincenzo was sent to the Sacramento Kings. In his 19 minutes of action on February 12, DiVincenzo recorded 7 points and 5 assists in the Kings’ 123-110 victory over the Washington Wizards. It was his debut performance.
Golden State Warriors (2022–2023)
DiVincenzo inked a two-year, $9.3 million contract with the Golden State Warriors on July 8, 2022. On January 27, 2023, DiVincenzo defeated the Toronto Raptors 129-117 while dishing out 12 points and dishing out 11 assists. On March 11, DiVincenzo defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125–120 in overtime with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
New York Knicks (2023–present)
DiVincenzo signed a contract with the New York Knicks on July 8, 2023.
Donte DiVincenzo Personal Life
Donte DiVincenzo and Morgan Calatoni have a joyful and affectionate relationship. DiVincenzo’s cheerleader at Temple University, Morgan, has supported him throughout his basketball career.
Born in Easton, Pennsylvania, in February 1997, Morgan completed his education at Wilson High School. The pair has a close relationship and has encouraged one another’s ambitions.
Donte DiVincenzo Net Worth
Success has been accomplished by Donte DiVincenzo both on and off the court.
His earnings from endorsement deals and his basketball career have contributed to his around $3 million net worth.
Donte DiVincenzo Social Media
- Instagram: @divincenzo
- Twitter: @Ddivincenzo
Donte DiVincenzo On TikTok
@pointforward Donte DiVincenzo almost transferred from Villanova to Temple. 🤯 A few months after deciding to stay, he was MOP of the Final Four, a National Champ, and a first round draft pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. Safe to say, he made the right call. #dontedivincenzo #villanovabasketball #marchmadness #nba #ncaa
What is DiVincenzo’s nickname?
As per Basketball Reference, his official names are “White Chocolate” and “The Big Ragu.” He goes by “White Donte” informally, and he’s the main topic of our conversation today—”The Michael Jordan of Delaware.” “White Chocolate” isn’t his moniker; it’s wasy.
Does DiVincenzo have a ring?
Over his career, Donte DiVincenzo has only won one championship.
