While he had multiplied the calls of the foot to Italy with a view to playing one day in the jersey of the transalpine selection, Paolo Banchero finally chose Team USA and will defend the American colors at the next World Cup.
A decision that cringed within the Italian federation and which the Magic winger explained. According to him, it was the truce, due to the Covid, which put an end to his desire to wear the Italian jersey.
“I was 17 when they asked me and it was a time in my life when I felt I couldn’t pass up this opportunity because my father’s family is Italian. I didn’t know much about my Italian heritage. So I thought it was the best way to find out more and get closer to that part of me, which I have since done”he confided. “But the Covid kind of took that opportunity away from me. I always wonder how different my life would have been if Covid had never happened. But I couldn’t play, I went to Duke, I had a really good year, I got first pick and, you know, circumstances change.”
In the footsteps of his mother
After a missed act with Italy, Paolo Banchero did not miss the wagon of Team USA which asked him to take part in a team of “rookies” which wants to be competitive and homogeneous for the next World Cup. “Having played against them, I know they are all game-winning players. I think we’re all going to get involved, collectively, and try to win this World Cup.”, he added.
For Paolo Banchero, who said he was also influenced in his final choice by Mike Krzyzewski, his presence with the American selection is also a childhood dream nurtured in the eyes of his mother, Rhonda Smith-Banchero, who wore the jersey of the star-spangled banner in the 90s. It was more particularly a photo of his mother with the American jersey that gave rise to his desire to imitate her from an early age.
“This Team USA team photo was hanging in the basement, and my bedroom was in the basement. I saw her every day. It was literally one of my biggest childhood dreams: to play for the United States.he concluded.
