Nico Mannion will miss FIBA World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Nico Mannion will miss the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, the Italian basketball federation confirmed.

Credit: Imago - Scanpix Credit Imago - Scanpix

Italy lost another important piece of its national team as Nico Mannion becomes the latest player that won't join the national team in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

The Italian Basketball Federation confirmed the news, and head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco made a statement, saying that the decision was mutual.

"This summer, Nico Mannion will not be part of the team. It was a painful decision but shared by both parties," Pozzecco said. "In the last two years, Nico has been the absolute leader in the national team, showing a strong bond to the Azzurro and great professionalism."

However, he put his physical abilities to the maximum, and we mutually agreed that it's for the best not to include him in the roster of players who will prepare for the World Cup from today," Pozzecco added.

Mannion hasn't played much in the last couple of seasons. In 2021, Mannion recovered from an intestinal infection that led him to lose 9-10 kilograms. After that, he struggled to find his place in Sergio Scariolo's rotations in Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

In the last two seasons, the 22-year-old Mannion played in 38 EuroLeague and EuroCup games combined.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Mannion averaged 5.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 5.3 PIR in 19 EuroLeague appearances for Virtus.

In June, Mannion signed a 2-year deal with Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

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