Italian basketball federation confirms interest in Darius Thompson, remains hopeful on Banchero / News - Basketnews.com

The president of the Italian basketball federation Gianni Petrucci, confirmed that Darius Thompson might join the national team in time for the upcoming World Cup. Petrucci also revealed he still has hope regarding Paolo Banchero.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gianni Petrucci, the president of the Italian basketball federation, revealed that Italy might have a new addition in time for the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Darius Thompson

Team:Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-GasteizPosition:PG, SGAge:28Height:193 cmWeight:89 kgBirth place:Tennessee, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

The national team coached by Gianmarco Pozzecco will play in the Group A of the FIBA World Cup together with the Philippines, Dominican Republic, and Angola.

Petrucci explained that while the situation with Paolo Banchero is still a work in progress, the national team is considering some alternatives for the World Cup. The main one is Darius Thompson.

Baskonia's point guard deals with the last documents to obtain his Italian citizenship after marrying an Italian woman.

"We'll do our best until the very end with Banchero," Petrucci said during the interview. "Surely, it's not easy because now he's a very important NBA player. Let's not forget that we have a very intriguing project for him that we already submitted to Paolo and his entourage."

"In the meanwhile, our coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and our general director Salvatore Trainotti will try to add some new faces," Petrucci continued. "One of them might be Darius Thompson."

As it was reported by Tuttosport and confirmed to BasketNews, Thompson is expected to receive the last few documents necessary to get his Italian citizenship during the summer. If the paperwork will be alright, there's a good chance the player will be called up for the World Cup.

Thompson already draws a lot of interest on the market, and the two main Italian clubs, Olimpia Milan and Virtus Bologna are among the clubs expected to make a run at him.

Last summer, Thompson signed a 1+1 deal with Baskonia, and the buyout in his deal with the Spanish club is considered not to be an obstacle, multiple sources have told BasketNews.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.