Roster Changes Announced for Guerri Napoli Basket

Guerri Napoli Basket is making significant changes to its roster following a quarter-final defeat in the Italian Cup’s Final Eight against Virtus Bologna. Aamir Simms will be terminating his contract with the club, paving the way for the arrival of Isaiah Whaley.

Introducing Isaiah Whaley

Isaiah Whaley, a 206cm power forward born in 1998, is set to join Napoli Basket. He brings experience from stints in Türkiye (Tofas Bursa), Mexico, Germany, and Russia.

Whaley is described as a high-energy, defense-oriented player with strengths in blocking and rebounding. In the 2024-2025 season with Lokomotiv Kuban, he averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game in 57 games while reaching the VTB United League playoff semifinals.

Whaley’s Career Highlights

• UConn Huskies (2017-2022): Recognized as a “high-character, high-energy, defense-oriented player” and selected to the All-Academic Team.
• Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League): Averaged 8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 47 games.
• Jalisco Astros: Won the title, averaging 18 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 26 games.
• MLP Academics Heidelberg (German BBL): Averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 34 games.
• Tofas Bursa (Turkish Championship): Averaged 5.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19 games.
• Basketball Champions League: Averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13 games.

Coach Skinny Addresses Roster Moves

“I think it’s not the time for the transfer market but for the project. A very serious project, there is great willingness from the club to help us. We need to raise the bar as much as possible, with a hand, because there are players who are overexposed in playing time. There will be surprises. Those who remain I want them to remain with this spirit. Those who arrive want them to find a club and a healthy group that wants to achieve important objectives”

Coach Alessandro Skinny

Following the departure of Ed Croswell and the arrival of Leonardo Totem, the move to separate from Aamir Simms and bring in Isaiah Whaley is the next step in the team’s restructuring.

Further Potential Acquisitions

Negotiations are underway with Nick Marshall, a 1999-born Australian wing guard currently averaging 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds with the Tasmania JackJumpers. Napoli hopes to finalize the deal soon.

The team is similarly monitoring the situation with Rasir Bolton and awaiting the return of Naz Mitrou-Long from injury.

Injury Update: Naz Mitrou-Long

Naz Mitrou-Long sustained a fracture of the distal phalanx of the fourth finger of the right hand during the Italian Cup Final Eight match against Virtus Bologna and is undergoing rehabilitation. His recovery timeline will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.