Arizona "AZ" Reid is all smiles Saturday as family, friends and neighbors held a block party on Annette Drive to wish him good fortune during his upcoming trip to Italy. The Gaffney High School and High Point basketball star will be living out his dream as a professional basketball player due to his recent signing by Cimberio Varese of the Italian League. He leaves for Italy on Aug. 15. There would have been little doubt about the musical selection if Italian crooner Andrea Bocelli had been invited to AZ Reid's going away party on Saturday.

While Bocelli's song "Con te partiro" is translated a little differently, most know it by the English title, "Time to say goodbye."

For Reid, Saturday was not just a time to say goodbye, however. It was a chance for friends, neighbors and family members throughout Gaffney to send the Gaffney High School and High Point basketball star off in style for his new career as a professional basketball player in Italy.

Reid was all smiles as he greeted everyone who dropped by a block party being held for him on Annette Drive on Saturday. Gaffney City Council had authorized the closure of Annette Drive between Hetty Hill Street and Granite Drive so there would be no traffic to disrupt the neighborhood send-off and dozens of people showed up, filling the street.

"My family wanted to do something special for me," Reid said between hugs and handshakes from well-wishers.

Reid departs for Italy and his new team, Cimberio Varese of the Italian League, on Aug. 15. "I'm very exited and ready to take on the challenge," he said.

Training camp in Italy starts Aug. 17 and Reid is expected to play his first game as a professional Oct. 11.

Reid signed with his new team in late July just as he was returning from an Italian summer league. While the style of play is a little different in Europe, which he found to be less physical and more about fundamentals, he said he's ready for it.

"If you're not a fundamental player, it's hard to fit in but I can make the adjustments," he said.

Reid expects to be in Europe for the next eight months.