This should not sound strange at all. He actually grew up there and I believe speaks fluent Italian.
via SI.com
“
Kobe should be in Bologna by Wednesday or Thursday with his visa in hand for medical visits and then we can deposit the contract with the league,” Sabatini said. “I want to make clear that right now there are still no signatures. We’ve got to write the contract, which will then be read over and over again.”
Bryant will be paid $3 million for the opening 40 days of the Italian league season, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed.
“We have reached an economic deal,” Virtus President Claudio Sabatini told a local radio station. “There’s still some things to arrange, but at this point I’m very optimistic. I would say it’s 95 percent done.”
The deal should last about 10 games and would allow Bryant to return to the Lakers immediately if the lockout ends.
STREET KNOWLEDGE 