Former NBA forward Eric Paschall made an unforgettable debut for Pistoia Basket 2000 in Italy’s Serie A, though not for his on-court performance. In a moment of frustration, Paschall tore his jersey after struggling through his first game in Italy.
Paschall’s stat line in the game was less than stellar. He finished with 0 points, shooting 0-for-6 from the field in 19 minutes of play. He committed five fouls, collected four rebounds, and had three turnovers, ultimately ending the game with a negative player evaluation score of -18.
His frustrations reached a peak in the third quarter after picking up two fouls in quick succession. In response, Paschall received a technical foul and tore his jersey out of anger. The incident effectively marked the end of his night, as he fouled out shortly afterward.
Italian basketball outlet Pianeta Basket tweeted about the unusual moment.
The game ended in a win for Pistoia over Napoli (88-82), but Paschall’s debut will be remembered more for the jersey-tearing incident than his contributions on the floor.
Paschall, a former Golden State Warriors player, is adjusting to the European style of basketball, which differs significantly from the NBA. Coach Dante Calabria addressed the challenges Paschall faced in his debut and expressed optimism about the player’s potential. “Eric has great talent, he just needs to get used to playing in Europe and understand the differences between this type of basketball and the NBA,” Calabria said, per Pianeta Basket.
The coach acknowledged the technical foul as a learning moment. “The technical foul? That can’t happen, but it will surely serve as a lesson for him,” Calabria added.
Paschall, who played three seasons in the NBA and won a championship with the Warriors in 2020, is expected to play a key role for Pistoia Basket 2000. Despite the rough start, his experience and skill set could make a significant impact as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
