Datome bids farewell with a funny exchange with Pozzecco, retires calm and happy / News - Basketnews.com

Luigi Datome didn't want to enter the court for the last time not to hurt Italy's chances of beating Slovenia in the FIBA World Cup game for the 7th place.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

That's a conversation you'll rarely hear during the farewell game.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Luka Doncic Points 29 Accuracy 8-15 Rebounds 10 Assists 8

"Now you're going on the court!" the Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco told Luigi Datome.

He was playing the last game of his basketball career.

"No, no! I want to win the game!" Datome responded, refusing to step on the court.

Italy and Slovenia were battling for the 7th spot in the FIBA World Cup.

"Shut up! I decide! You're going in!" Pozzecco didn't want to listen to his veteran.

Telling this story, Pozzecco looked at Datome in the press conference with a proud smile, having this last opportunity to coach him.

"He wanted to win the game. He's Gigi, you know..." Pozzecco couldn't believe it with his player.

"Even when nobody cares about this game when everybody could focus on him leaving the game, he said he wants to win..." Pozzecco shook his head.

"Shut you, you go in, you will come out, and we'll celebrate you," Pozzecco commanded.

That's what happened.

With 3:26 left to play in the fourth quarter and Italy trailing by just 1 point against Slovenia (78-79), Nicolo Melli hugged Luka Doncic for an intentional foul.

Luka appeared somewhat surprised at that instant, but he quickly grasped the purpose behind it.

Datome exchanged handshakes with the players on the court and was soon encircled by his teammates, celebrating his remarkable moment.

The entire Mall of Asia Arena rose to their feet to applaud the legendary Italian player.

"Gigi is a legend. He is unique. Nothing similar to him. I don't deserve to be here because I didn't do anything to deserve it. But I'm lucky. At this moment, I'm close to Gigi, and I will never forget it. Because Gigi is a true legend," Pozzecco concluded.

Italy / Schedule

Italy Puerto Rico73-57 Italy USA63-100 Italy Latvia82-87 Italy Slovenia85-89

Italy lost the last professional game of his life 85-89. When Datome, 35, appeared at the press conference, he was greeted by the journalists with a standing ovation.

"Thank you for your applause. It is one of many gestures of love and respect I've received this summer. So I'm really thankful," he smiled.

"Today, it's been emotional. I hope this is why I played so badly," he joked.

Datome finished his last game with 1 point and two rebounds in 10 minutes.

"We wanted to finish with the win. Even if it wasn't an important game, my teammates played hard and tried everything to make me finish with the win. But regardless, after many years, I've learned it's not the most important thing in our life," he said, keeping his composure.

"As a captain, I'm proud of this team for what we did. We showed we could compete at the highest level. Only against the USA, we couldn't compete because they were way better than us," Datome added.

"Proud of my teammates and grateful for my team for treating me so well this summer. Thanks to Pozzo [Pozzecco] also. It was one of the best summers of my life. This guy was special to me. All the staff of my national team."

"There are so many people to say thank you to, opponents, referees that do the most difficult job. We remember about them only they do something bad," he smiled. "But without them, we couldn't play. Thanks to the referees, media, teammates, coaches."

"I feel grateful and happy," Datome concluded his speech.

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