By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Paolo Banchero, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year from the Orlando Magic, has made the decision to represent Team USA at the upcoming FIBA World Cup in the Philippines this summer, Shams Charania reports.
This news comes as a disappointment for Italy, as Banchero was initially expected to play for the Italian national team.
Having obtained an Italian passport in early 2020 due to his father’s Italian heritage, Banchero was set to join the Italian squad for the Tokyo Olympics, which were later postponed due to the pandemic.
Although he had discussions with the Italian Basketball Federation and national team coach Gianmarco Pozzecco last December, Banchero ultimately chose to represent the United States.
Born in Seattle, Washington, Banchero attended O’Dea High School and played college basketball at Duke University before being selected as the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Opting to play for Team USA, Banchero will now join their roster for the FIBA World Cup.
USA Basketball has yet to announce its full roster, but the team’s training camp is scheduled to begin on August 3 in Las Vegas. The World Cup’s first game will take place on August 26 in Manila.