Nico Mannion reveals national team conversation with Paolo Banchero / News - Basketnews.com

Nico Mannion thinks Paolo Banchero might be a missing piece for Italy to make the podium after 19 years.

Credit: AFP/Imago - Scanpix Credit AFP/Imago - Scanpix

Paolo Banchero wants to suit up for Italy and has already expressed his intentions to join the national team to his future teammates. Niccolo Mannion, who spoke with the No. 1 NBA draft pick, thinks Banchero is the missing piece to take Italy to the podium.

Paolo Banchero

Team:Orlando MagicPosition:PFAge:19Height:208 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

"I would love to play with him. He seems to be a good person. He was texting me and told me he was excited to come. He wants to come, it's just about finding the right time," Mannion told in an interview with BasketNews.

Mannion and Banchero grew up in the United States and developed a connection on the phone.

"I think we played each other once when we were really young, like 14," Mannion shared his memory from West Coast tournaments.

Mannion was born in Siena, Italy, to former NBA player Pace Mannion and Gaia Bianchi. He spent his early childhood in Italy before moving to Salt Lake City and settling in Phoenix.

Banchero was born in Seattle. Due to his paternal ancestry, he received Italian citizenship in 2020.

"Watching him develop... Some of his posts obviously went viral when he was younger, dunking on people and stuff in high school. But the way he has developed is unreal," Mannion told BasketNews.

"To be that big and move that well, to have such a feeling for the game... I really hope he can get over to the national team soon and come play with us," the point guard added.

Mannion made his national team debut in 2021. He orchestrated Italy to the Tokyo Olympics through surprising success in the qualifying tournament in Serbia, where they eliminated the hosts.

Italy reached the quarterfinals both in the Olympics and EuroBasket 2022.

Could Banchero's presence erase the gap for the podium for the first time since 2004?

"I definitely think so," Mannion agreed.

"He's up for [NBA] rookie of the year this year. He's going to be a star in the NBA," Mannion added.

"And he is a big. For me, [it's great] as a guard to play alongside him and try to help him with European game. I know, coming from America, it's a lot different. But I think we would play well together because he's very unselfish. Having someone like that on the team would be special," Mannion concluded.

In his first official NBA game, Banchero put up 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, but Orlando Magic came up short vs. Detroit Pistons 109-113.

Banchero became the first player since LeBron James to register at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in an NBA debut.

Banchero mentioned his goal was to join Italy for the FIBA World Cup 2023.

A full interview with Nico Mannion:

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