Fans who grew enamored with Alessandro Gentile at EuroBasket 2015 could soon be getting a much longer look at the Italian wing.

The Houston Rockets are hoping to bring Gentile to the NBA for the 2016-17 season, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. The Rockets acquired Gentile's rights from the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night in 2014, throwing cash Minnesota's way for the No. 53 pick.

A little light on quickness, the Maddaloni native makes up for it with deep range and a strong slashing ability, making him an effective scorer spotting up or on the move. He's skilled handling the ball and creating for himself or teammates, and the 22-year-old also comes with ample experience, having played five-plus years of pro ball.

Gentile averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the Italian league last season, shooting 45.7 percent from the floor and 28.7 percent on threes. More impressively, he averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while hitting 36 percent of his looks from beyond the shorter FIBA 3-point line in eight EuroBasket games.

While Gentile signed a three-year contract with Milano in 2014, one that's since been extended through 2018, the buyout may be manageable. Working in the Rockets' favor is that the salary cap is set to explode, and they may have an opportunity to exceed the buyout contribution limit, taking a resultant cap hit to free Gentile.

Rockets fans would be forgiven for being skeptical about Gentile's arrival until it actually happens, given how they were teased with a potential Sergio Llull signing this summer.