As you read earlier today Alessandro Gentile is expected to leave Panathinaikos BC. SDNA understands that this happened for the following reasons:
A) Although the Greek Cup winners paid a large amount of money to sign the Italian superstar and despite getting a lot of playing time (he was often a starter), Gentile's performance wearing Panathinaikos shirt wasn't good.
Xavi Pascual had a personal conversation with the 25-year old player, in which he made it clear that Alessandro will not get playing time anymore. “You can go to another team on loan if you want or you can stay and practice with us”, was his words.
B) James Gist is almost ready to return to action, since he overcame his leg injury. The American power forward will probably make his comeback to Panathinaikos squad on Sunday against Apollon Patron (12/3).
That means that one of the foreign players has to be cut from the team for the Greek League games, because according to the Basket League regulations a team can' t have more than 6 foreign players. Panathinaikos already have K.C. Rivers, Chris Singleton, James Feldeine, Mike James, Kenny Gabriel and Alessandro Gentile. Therefore, even if Gentile wasn't the one, his playing minutes would be reduced.
Apart from the above, there were also some complaints about him showing unprofessional display, but that wasn't the reason for the “divorce” between the two sides.
