By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Donte DiVincenzo withdrew his availability for Italy in the EuroBasket, as reported by Italian outlet Sportando on Wednesday.
A press conference in Milan, featuring head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and coordinator Luigi Datome, confirmed the change on the roster of the senior national team and the addition of Darius Thompson, revealing an injury leading to the removal of DiVincenzo from the preliminary list.
“I’m sorry I’m not going to be able to join the national team this summer due to a physical issue,” the 28-year-old guard of the Minnesota Timberwolves explained, participating via a video, “It forced me to make this difficult, difficult decision.”
“But my goal remains the same,” he continued, “It remains with joining Italian basketball, going forward in the World Cup, the Olympics, and for a very long time.”
In bocca al lupo, Donte! A presto ✨#Italbasket pic.twitter.com/r2zYQclE94
— Italbasket (@Italbasket) July 30, 2025
DiVincenzo was recently included in the pre-selection of the Azzurri, upon completing a long process toward gaining Italian citizenship. However, his international debut has been officially delayed beyond this summer to possibly participate in future tournaments. Last season, his seventh in the NBA, DiVincenzo tallied 11.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest over 77 appearances.
Another American-born guard in 30-year-old Thompson, the new point guard of EuroLeague outfit Valencia, previously received an Italian passport. Therefore, he is eligible to launch an international career with Italy and will take the single available naturalized roster slot for the upcoming tournament. Last season with Anadolu Efes in Europe’s premier club continental competition, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest over 39 appearances.
Pozzecco’s side will be in Group C of the EuroBasket’s preliminary round. In Limassol, Italy will face Greece, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Spain, and Cyprus from August 28 to September 4. The top four seeds after the round-robin schedule will switch to single-elimination games, with the knockout stage taking place in Riga, between September 6 and 14.