Antwan Vásquez Takes His Next Step in Italy With AS Roma

Antwan Vásquez is taking the next major step in a development path that has already taken him across the United States and Italy. The 2012-born attacking midfielder has joined AS Roma, moving into one of the most recognized youth systems in Italian football after establishing himself as one of the top prospects in his age group in Florida.

Vásquez developed with Athletum, where his technical ability and attacking qualities helped him emerge as one of the most highly regarded young players in the state. His game has continued to attract attention at an age when most players are still taking their first steps in elite academy soccer, and the move to Roma now gives him an opportunity to continue that progression within the structure of a Serie A club.

But Vásquez has actually been getting familiar with Italian football before making this latest move.

During 2026, he spent part of the year with the Juventus Residency Academy in Italy, an academy connected to Athletum through a partnership between the two organizations. 

That experience nevertheless gave him something valuable well before his arrival at Roma — time inside the Italian football environment. Living and training in Italy allowed Vásquez to begin adapting to the country’s football culture, training methods and tactical demands while continuing his development through the Athletum-Juventus Residency connection.

It was another step in a journey that had already taken him beyond the traditional American academy pathway.

Vásquez’s development also carries an international dimension.

Born in the United States, he has Venezuelan roots and represents a connection between American and Venezuelan soccer. His background gives him eligibility and ties to both countries, making his progression one that can be followed from both sides of the international landscape.

That connection is particularly meaningful because of his family.

Antwan is the son of Greivis Vásquez, one of the most important Venezuelan basketball players of his generation and a former NBA point guard. Greivis starred at the University of Maryland before being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. He went on to play for the Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.

His career made him a major figure in Venezuelan sports, but his relationship with soccer has increasingly grown through his son. Greivis has spoken publicly about becoming a soccer fan because of Antwan and his passion for the game. 

The move to Roma represents the next stage: a chance to compete within the academy of a major Serie A club and continue developing as an attacking midfielder in one of Europe’s most tactically demanding football environments.

For a 2012-born player, there is still a long way to go before the professional game becomes the immediate objective. At this stage, the value of the move is the environment, the competition and the opportunity to develop every day alongside other elite young players.

Vásquez’s path has already been anything but conventional. He began with Athletum, gained exposure to Italian football through the Juventus Residency Academy, and now arrives at AS Roma with a chance to take another significant step.

His father’s legacy was built on the basketball courts of the NBA. Antwan is now beginning to create his own — with a soccer ball at his feet and a future in Italian football ahead of him.