Devontae Cacok: a high-flyer for the new Virtus Bologna project / News - Basketnews.com

American big man Devontae Cacok represents the first piece of the new project of Virtus Bologna. The Italian side will have a decreased budget this season and they're targeting a different set of players for their upcoming future. How Cacok will impact the team and how will he fit inside coach Scariolo's system?

Credit: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli Credit AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

A few days after the end of the season, which for Virtus Bologna finished with a loss in Game 7 of the Italian League Finals against Olimpia Milan, coach Sergio Scariolo held a press conference.

Devontae Cacok

Position:PFAge:26Height:203 cmWeight:109 kgBirth place:Chicago, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Normally, it would have been the classic end-of-season press conference, taking stock of the year just ended and summing up the work done.

But given the rumors that had been circulating about his future, with interest from the Toronto Raptors and Real Madrid, something more than the classic end-of-season press conference was expected.

The Italian coach, during the course of the chat with reporters, confirmed his stay for another season, respecting his existing contract, but above all, he gave important news for what would be the future.

Scariolo, in fact, revealed to reporters that the company had already informed him of a budget reduction and that, inevitably, the team would have to adapt to this new situation.

After years of major investments to return to the top in both Italy and Europe, Massimo Zanetti, the majority owner of Virtus, decided to curb spending a bit, in part to attract new investors and, in all likelihood, to prepare the ground for his final exit from the scene in a few years.

Scariolo made it clear that Virtus would have to adapt to a different situation in the market.

"We will not be able to attract players like Teodosic or Milutinov, but we will do our best to keep Virtus at a very competitive level still," the Spanish NT coach said.

There was no shortage of changes. Several of the expiring players left the Bologna club: Mannion joined Baskonia, Jaiteh signed a rich two-year deal at Monaco, and Kyle Weems, beloved by Bologna fans, settled at Derthona.

Marco Belinelli, the team captain, reduced his salary to sign a new contract. Virtus also let Semi Ojeleye, one of last offseason's major investments, leave after Valencia paid a buyout of about 300,000 euros.

Milos Teodosic, the symbol of Virtus in recent years, also said goodbye to the Italian team to return to his homeland and sign with Crvena Zvezda.

The Italian club also would not object to the possible departures of Iffe Lundberg and Toko Shengelia, both of whom are under contract for next season with rather large salaries.

To adhere to the new financial parameters from society, in short, there was a need for different targets than in the past.

Players with more sustainable salaries and less experienced, but not for that reason not able to intrigue the Bolognese team's fans and keep the squad at a still high level of competitiveness.

After the addition of two players with already some experience at the EuroLeague level such as Achille Polonara and Ognjen Dobric, Virtus decided to bet on a rookie like Devontae Cacok, in his second European experience after his time at CSKA Moscow.

Cacok, a UNC Wilmington University product, arrived in Europe in February 2023, signing a contract with CSKA until the end of the season but which also contained an option for the following season.

The American player had a solid impact in Russia, averaging 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in the VTB League.

CSKA would have loved to keep him but inside the team, there was the feeling that some EuroLeague clubs would have come knocking at the door of the player.

With the Russian teams excluded from the European competitions, the agency representing the player started to receive calls from EuroLeague clubs and that's when Virtus Bologna burst into the scene.

The Italian team was looking for a replacement for Mam Jaiteh, someone who could provide more energy and intensity under the basket and Cacok fit the profile.

The American big man has always been an intriguing prospect. After college, he went undrafted and ended up in the G League with South Bay Lakers, the team affiliated with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2019-2020.

Cacok immediately had a huge impact in G League, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game. His performances convinced the Lakers to offer him a two-way contract.

Devontae continued to spend more time in G League than with the Lakers, but at the end of the season, he was still part of the roster so he became an NBA champion, despite playing only one game in the entire season with the Lakers.

After his first full season between G League and the NBA, Cacok entered a sort of limbo that many players have to experience: being probably too good for the G League but not good enough to stick around in the NBA.

After the Lakers, he had two stints with the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons but always struggled to find minutes and a consistent role.

So in February of this year, Cacok decided to go for the European route for the first time in his career and it looks like that decision is paying off.

But what type of player Virtus is gonna get with Cacok? For sure, a very different type of big man from Jaiteh.

While the French big man is more of a typical center with his size and lack of dynamic in some situations, Cacok is the exact opposite. He's an undersized big with great athleticism and explosiveness, always fighting for a rebound and with an outstanding motor.

The American big man is a constant threat to the opposing defense in offensive rebounding situations with his neverending energy.

Although he is primarily a player of energy, this does not mean that Cacok is completely raw from a technical point of view. Offensively, Cacok has a decent floater and has still shown that he has educated hands near the basket, although finishing strong at the rim remains one of his favorite solutions.

The former Lakers big can run the floor in the transition really well and usually excels in systems, where the team can keep a high pace.

Virtus currently has Jordan Mickey and Ismael Bako as options for the No. 5 spot, but Mickey can also play as 4 when necessary.

In the beginning, most likely, it's easy to imagine that Cacok will come off the bench, providing that spark of energy that the team might need during the game.

"I believe that Devontae could be a really good addition for Virtus Bologna," a EuroLeague scout told BasketNews.

"He's the type of up-and-rising player that makes to take a chance on, he provides lots of energy and intensity, around the rim is a beast. It's true that he doesn't have EuroLeague experience, but he has already played for a big club like CSKA Moscow. I don't think he'll have particular issues in adapting to Virtus and EuroLeague basketball."

Cacok represents the first piece of a new system that Virtus will need to build in order to be more sustainable both in the present and in the future.

In some ways a gamble but certainly an intriguing one. Virtus will still need to finalize the roster with other additions, mainly it will need to identify Milos Teodosic's replacement.

Much of the outcome of the Bologna club's season will depend on these choices, but certainly, the addition of Devontae Cacok will give one more reason to watch Scariolo's team closely this upcoming season.

The American player certainly has the potential to be one of the most intriguing rookies in the competition. Let's get ready to see several high-stakes plays because Cacok is eager to impress.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.