Gianni Petrucci on the future of the Italian national team: 'We cannot keep coach Sacchetti forever' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gianni Petrucci, the president of the Italian basketball federation, talked about the future of the national team, especially the coaching situation.

Meo Sacchetti, the current head coach of the national team, has a contract only until the end of EuroBasket and his continuity on the bench is far from certain.

"Coach Sacchetti's contract is gonna expire at the end of EuroBasket and his continuity is not related to the results that we're gonna achieve in that tournament", Petrucci explained. "We cannot keep him forever, we're all here pro tempore".

One of the candidates that might replace coach Sacchetti on the bench of the national team is Gianmarco Pozzecco, a former Italian basketball legend and currently working as an assistant coach for Ettore Messina with Olimpia Milan.

Pozzecco has been already selected as the head coach of the 'experimental' national team, a group of under-23 players that will go on a summer tour this year, playing against other under-23 national teams to focus on the development of the younger players.

"I can say that I really like Pozzecco", Petrucci said. "He's an enjoyable person and very well prepared tactically".

One of the main hopes for the future of the Italian national team is Paolo Banchero, who just finished his only season at Duke and he's now preparing for the NBA Draft.

The big man already received the Italian passport and has often stated his will to play for the 'Azzurri'.

"He's really excited to wear our colors", the president of the Italian federation explained. "Also our sponsors are waiting for him, for us he's a big investment. Let's see when we'll be able to use him. Realistically, the hope is to have him for the 2023 World Cup which will be crucial to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris".

Petrucci took some time to talk also about the 'older' stars of the Italian national team: Danilo Gallinari, Gigi Datome, and Marco Belinelli.

"Gallinari played a good season and has always been there for the national team, except for one time. The only issue is that he cost us a fortune, we paid $480k for the NBA insurance policy. Then there are Belinelli and Datome. I was disappointed when they decided to not be a part of the national team last summer. With Belinelli we have talked, and there've been some reconciliations. But it's up to the coach to select him, and coach Sacchetti still holds a grudge".

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