Yet born in the United States, Paolo Banchero seemed very motivated to represent Italy in international competitions. Having thus had Italian nationality since 2020, thanks to his paternal ties with the European country, he has been planning for many months to wear the colors of the “Squadra azzurra”. During the “media day” at the start of the season, he even posed with an Italian flag…
“I intend to play for the Italian national team, but I don’t know when yet. I haven’t been there yet, but the amount of love I get from Italy is insane. It’s crazy. I can’t wait to go to Italy” declared Paolo Banchero in October. “I saw that they had qualified for the World Cup. It is a great success and I am very happy about it. The fact that you all look up to me makes me grateful. Having so many fans and being contacted on social media is absolutely thrilling. You show me constant love and support: it really pushes me forward. I have to tell my team, my agent, my family. It would be a great opportunity, I can’t deny it, but there’s still time ahead of me. I have to think about it, I will assess it day by day” added the Magic player few weeks later.
More communication between the two camps
But now, about four months before the World Cup, discussions have stalled, and doubts are growing about the player’s participation.
” We had agreed to reconnect at the end of his NBA season. » said Gianni Petrucci, president of the Italian federation. ” And the NBA season is now over. Instead, we are currently on stand-by and, to be honest, I feel more pessimistic than optimistic. “.
Drafted in first position by the Magic, Paolo Banchero succeeded in his first season in the NBA by being elected Rookie of the Year. He finished the campaign averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 72 games played. His participation in the next World Cup would therefore be a huge asset for the Italian selection.
But while he leaned towards Italy because he had often been snubbed by the American selection in the youth categories, his new status could open the doors to Team USA. Something to make him think…
After reaching the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in 2021 and the EuroBasket in 2022, Italy for its part has the ambition to go even further at the 2023 World Cup. A competition which will take place from 25 August to September 10, and which will be organized by three different countries: Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Italy will play in Group A along with Angola, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines.
| Paolo Banchero | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| Total | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
