Last December, things seemed to be heading in the right direction, even self-evident. Magic star rookie Paolo Banchero and Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco had spoken and it was clearly time for optimism. The former nugget of Duke was going to represent the native country of his father, Mario Banchero…
Today, nothing seems less certain. Paolo Banchero has indeed opened up about his desire to play for the American team, with which he has already experienced several disappointments, in the youth categories.
“I don’t know yet, it’s a question I get asked all the time”he reacted on the podcast of Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles, The Knuckleheads. “My father is called Mario, his brother Giulio and another Angelo. We all have Italian names and of course, growing up, I wondered why. But my father and I have never been to Italy. We are trying to organize ourselves to go there this summer because my father always told me that he wanted to take me there sooner or later to meet this side of our family that still lives there. I had the opportunity to get an Italian passport, so I took it. »
But having an Italian passport is not everything. It is still necessary to have the will to move and to get involved in the long term with the new project of the Squadra Azzurra led by Gianmarco Pozzecco.
In the case of Paolo Banchero, the temptation to play for the American team (obviously more talented and ambitious in international competitions) is becoming stronger and stronger. The recent appointment of Grant Hill as head of the federation does not help the transalpine cause in the matter…
“What is absurd is that I have already done several trials with Team USA for the youth teams. But I have always been rejected. When I was in high school, Team USA let me down more than once honestly. They cut me several times, which left me with a bitter taste. And then at 16-17 years old, the Italian federation contacted my father and (…) if it hadn’t been for the Covid, I would probably have already played for the Italian selection at 17 or 18 years old. But everything stopped and I went to university. Now that I was the No. 1 in the Draft, things have changed. Especially at the head of the American federation, where there is Grant Hill, a former Duke and Orlando, like me. Basically, I have a decision to make…”
| 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.
