By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Using a face mask due to a recent injury, Donte DiVincenzo recorded a new personal best in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season with 25 points, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves take down the Brooklyn Nets in Barclays Center on Monday.
Following the game, the 28-year-old guard revisited gaining Italian citizenship and falling narrowly shy of representing Italy in EuroBasket 2025.
“Pride and relief. Long process. A lot of different people put in a lot of hours to get it done. And I’m very thankful for everybody that was involved in the process,” he talked about getting an Italian passport.
“Health and everything need to line up, but that’s the goal, the commitment,” he added in a postgame media session, confirming his intention to play for Italy in future FIBA tournaments.
Provided the team coached by new selector Luca Banchi secures a spot through the Qualifiers, the next major international tournament is the FIBA World Cup 2027.
A former NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, DiVincenzo was also asked about the collaboration between the NBA and FIBA to create a new top-tier league in Europe.
“I’m not up to date with the information, with everything. I think it would be a very cool idea, just not knowing anything. I don’t know how that would work logistically,” he said on the plan, widely labeled as NBA Europe.
Over seven appearances to start his eighth NBA journey, the Delaware native tallied 15.1 points per contest.