YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Mountain Lions Men's Basketball alumnus Josh Petteno has signed a professional contract with Team Bonn/Rhöndorf in Germany, launching the next chapter of his basketball journey. 

Petteno, originally from Italy, played two seasons for the Mountain Lions from 2021 to 2023. A dynamic two-way player, he appeared in 47 games with 30 starts, averaging 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 43.7 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from three-point range, and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line. In his final season, he started 25 games and posted 11.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per contest, while shooting 38.1 percent from deep and 83.3 percent from the stripe. 

Off the court, Petteno excelled academically. He earned the Peach Belt Elite 16 Award for having the highest GPA in the conference and was named to the NABC Honors Court in both seasons at Young Harris. 

"I am incredibly excited to return to the sport I love after a year away," Petteno said. "Team Bonn/Rhöndorf is a fantastic place to start this new chapter, and I look forward to embracing a mentorship role and leading by example for my younger teammates. I hope to bring the same energy and camaraderie we had at Young Harris. That experience not only gave me lifelong friendships and success on and off the court, but also many life lessons I will carry with me. I will always cherish our successes and even our failures, as they taught us the value of hard work and pushed us to new heights. Thanks to Young Harris, I am now pursuing my PhD in Applied Mathematics while playing professional basketball. Who knew a small town of barely 1,000 people deep in the North Georgia mountains could give so much to an international student from Italy!" 

Head Coach Jeremy Currier shared his excitement for Petteno's next step, saying, "I am thrilled for Josh Petteno to be continuing his basketball career at the professional level. He is the ultimate competitor and winner, and one of the best two-way players we have had in the Enchanted Valley in the last seven years. His toughness permeated throughout the locker room and ultimately helped to shape our culture. Josh was a consummate teammate and leader in his time at Young Harris College, as displayed by winning our program's first Peach Belt Elite 16 Award for having the highest grade point average in the conference. Josh was recognized by NABC Honors Court both years he was at YHC for his success in the classroom. I look forward to following his success this season in Germany. Bonn/Rhöndorf is getting a winner." 

Young Harris College proudly celebrates Petteno's achievements and wishes him continued success as he begins his professional career overseas.