One down, two to go.

San Diego State learned Thursday that Italian guard David Torresani has been cleared by the NCAA, one of three European pros on the roster who have been practicing with no guarantee of suiting up in November.

“It’s an amazing sensation, an amazing feeling,” said Torresani, who was granted three years of collegiate eligibility. “I’ve been waiting so long. I’ve been far away from home for so long, so now I’m finally (worry)-free. I’m very happy about it.

“I know some guys from Italy who were in the same situation, playing (in the lucrative) EuroLeague, and they got cleared. I wasn’t personally worried about being cleared, but you never say never.”

That leaves fellow Italian Luca Vincini and Croatian Luka Skoric awaiting clearance. Torresani has a different NCAA case officer than they do, so Thursday’s news has little bearing on their status. Vincini and Skoric are also older, both turning 23 earlier this year.

The NCAA has more narrowly enforced language about granting eligibility only to European pros who did not receive salaries above “actual and necessary” living expenses. That has required schools to submit stacks of paperwork — contracts, bank statements, receipts, rent checks.

“You just have to look at how many Europeans are trying to get cleared right now, and it’s a process for every one of them,” coach Brian Dutcher said. “Washington had one rejected this week, but he was making a lot of money and they couldn’t make those numbers match.

“The whole time, we knew what the numbers were (for Torresani) and they matched up. It was just a matter of presenting it in a way that they’d accept it. I’ve felt all three of our guys should be cleared, and it’s good to have David through the process.”

News began to circulate Tuesday that Torresani was close to being cleared, and the 6-foot-2 point guard, perhaps not coincidentally, had by far his best practice with the Aztecs. When the team closed with a short five-on-five scrimmage, he was arguably the best player on the floor — jetting downcourt with the ball, actively looking for his shot, making several 3s.

“It’s not only because of me,” said Torresani, 21, who spent the last four years with NutriBullet Treviso in Italy’s top division. “It’s because of my teammates and coaches. Everybody is giving me advice with the new system. I have to thank them first of all. I think the team is pretty good, so it’s easy to play with these guys.

“I hope we have a beautiful season.”

Basketball gift

The men’s basketball program recently received what it describes as “a transformational planned gift” from SDSU alum Terry Atkinson that primarily will support an assistant coaching position.

A dollar figure was not attached to the gift, only that, according to a university release, it will “provide ongoing resources for the position, including coaching compensation, professional development, travel, recruiting and other needs associated with supporting a highly competitive NCAA Division I basketball program.”

Atkinson’s relationship with the team dates back more than two decades, when Steve Fisher was head coach and Dutcher was his lead assistant.

“Terry has been a longtime friend and supporter of the program,” Dutcher said. “Some people embrace rev share, some people embrace other ways to help, whether it’s building Snapdragon Stadium or donating to endow an assistant coaching position. We’re constantly in need of support.

“There are different ways to help the program, and we’re appreciative for all Terry has done for us.”

ALS Walk

The annual Walk to Defeat ALS is Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., beginning at Mission Bay’s De Anza Cove. The basketball team typically attends in support of Mark Fisher, Steve Fisher’s son who suffers from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

For more information about Coach Mark’s Team, call (760) 518-8580.