Gigi Datome commented on Banchero's decision, addressed his own World Cup presence / News - Basketnews.com
Gigi Datome weighed in on Paolo Banchero's decision to choose the USA over Italy. The veteran player also spoke about his own participation in the upcoming tournament.
Credit: FIBA Credit FIBAItaly had hoped that with Paolo Banchero, they could claim a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but their plans were marred by the coronavirus pandemic. The talented basketball player then spent the season at Duke, so the Orlando Magic selected him with the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Luigi Datome
MIN:9.36PTS:3.67 (39.13%)REB:0.83As:0ST:0.17BL:0TO:0GM:6ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023Still, the Azzurri believed that with him in their ranks they could go for world medals. However, according to Shams Charania, the NBA Rookie of The Year decided to play for the US national team at the upcoming World Cup.
The impression is that as Banchero progressed in the strongest league in the world, so did his chance to defend the colors of Italy, whose passport he has held since 2020. his father is of Italian descent.
Gianmarco Pozzeco and the Italian federation spoke with the young forward in December, but Banchero revealed he was still undecided. It is now clear that he chose the country in which he was born.
Gigi Datome, who has captained the Italian national team for a long time, commented on Banchero's decision.
"He's made a decision and it's OK for him to try. We don't have to treat him like a traitor. Everyone makes their own path," the 35-year-old swingman opined.
Datome has been playing for Italy since EuroBasket 2007. However, his presence in the upcoming World Cup shouldn't be taken for granted.
"I need to talk to Pozzecco, together we will make the right decision for Italy," he said.
Italy are placed in Group A with Angola, Dominican Republic and host country Philippines in the first stage of the competition.
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