North Carolina State University Athletics
Corchiani Pondering Basketball Future
6/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
When Chris Corchiani and Rodney Monroe made up NC State's famous "Fire and Ice" backcourt from 1988-91, the scrappy, intense Corchiani represented the fire half of the Packs dynamic duo. Now, after several years in the professional ranks, it appears the fire is finally burning out.
Following an often frustrating and injury plagued season with Basket Rimini in Italy, Corchiani is apparently ready to hang up his sneakers.
"Right now I think I'm finished," said Corchiani, who returned to his home in Raleigh about a month ago. "I keep getting offers from other teams and I told my agent that I'll take a look at everything. But I really think this is it. My wife and I are having our third child and my oldest son is starting school this year. Most likely, I think this is going to be it for us."
After undergoing surgery to remove painful bone spurs from both of his feet last July, the 6-1 point guard never really could get into a groove this past season. Playing an average of just over 20 minutes in a back-up role, Corchiani averaged a modest 5.2 points per contest.
"It was difficult because I wasn't able to do the things that I needed to do to compete at that level," he said. "As the year went on I got in a little bit better shape and my feet started cooperating a little more, but I felt like I was wearing down a little bit."
The process of fully recovering from foot surgery was long and arduous, or as Corchiani put it: "I didn't do anything for seven months. I was in a wheelchair for six weeks. I was just so out of shape that it took me a very long time before I got into game shape. When you don't do anything for seven months, you put on weight and you're not close to being in basketball shape."
Corchiani, who is part owner of Corchiani's Pizza in Raleigh, plans on focusing his attention on the real-estate business in upcoming months. He and Monroe will also be overseeing the annual "Fire and Ice" Basketball Camp from June 26-30 at the Laurel Hills Community Center.
Unlike his former NC State teammate, Monroe is coming off an excellent season in Italy. In fact, he was named player of the year in his league.
"Rodney and I lived only about an hour apart over there," Corchiani said. "We'd get together quite a bit. Rodney has two young boys and I have two young boys so we'd get the kids together about twice a month. It was kind of neat."
Corchiania still holds NC State records for assists (1,038) and steals (328). Following his college career, he had short stints with three NBA teams-the Orlando Magic (1991-92), the Washington Bullets (1992-93) and the Boston Celtics (1993-94).
Since then, he's played with five different teams in Italy.
