Datome on missing out on Italy's summer tournaments: 'I go to bed with a clear conscience' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Fotodiena.lt/M.Baranauskas Credit Fotodiena.lt/M.Baranauskas

Luigi Datome spoke to "Corriere dello Sport" about various topics, including the choice of AX Armani Exchange Milano to appoint two team captains in Nicolo Melli and Sergio Rodriguez, as well as his personal decision to sit out this summer and not play with the Italian NT.

AX Armani Exchange Milan / Schedule

AX Armani Exchange Milan FC Barcelona75-70 Fenerbahce Istanbul AX Armani Exchange Milan11-1217:45

"It was a choice shared by everyone," the 34-year-old commented on his two teammates becoming Milan's captains: "I believe that "Chacho" is the emblem of this team because he was the first great player to believe in this project with Ettore Messina, of this new era. Nicolo is one of the players who are symbols of this team since he has already been five years in Milan”."It was a nice and right choice to have two captains and to be able to count on both. Nicolò will always remain the same, regardless of him being the captain. Like Kyle Hines, he's always been a point of reference for us."Datome also touched on the Italian national team and the controversy surrounding his absence from the summer tournaments (the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers and the Tokyo Olympics) after many competitions in which he was the captain.

"I go to bed with a clear conscience. I'm sorry I wasn't well, but it was a responsible choice. Being with the national team is very nice, but there is also the responsibility to play up to a certain standard and my body did not allow it. I made that choice reluctantly, but I think it was the right one for me and the team. Italy qualified and had a wonderful Olympics," the international forward suggested.

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.