Donte DiVincenzo might head to Italy for a busy summer in the offseason. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard is in talks with the Italian basketball team to participate in EuroBasket 2025. Italy wants him, and he has previously expressed interest to suit up for the Azzurri. However, it might depend on other factors like scheduling and administrative challenges.
Timberwolves Guard Might Play for Italy at EuroBasket
The last time Italy won a medal at the EuroBasket was in 2003. Gianmarco Pozzecco was the point guard of that team. He now serves as the head coach of the team. Hoping to add talent to his players’ pool, Gianmarco is trying to get Donte. Recently, he talked about how his country’s reserve is much smaller than teams like France. He said,
“A year ago, I was working in Asvel. I saw Vincent Collet, the French coach, and I asked him how many players he was choosing the 12 for his national team. He replied 24… How small is the pond I’m fishing in compared to theirs? I have 18 players left, including eight that everyone would choose, and I hope the rest are well.”
The team qualified for EuroBasket, and they hope to get some NBA talent. They are on the trail of DiVincenzo, the guard who is of Italian descent. They also hope Danilo Gallinari to return to the lineup. Pozzecco talked about the Italy’s interest in Donte DiVincenzo.
“We’re working on the DiVincenzo case and I’ll go and talk to him soon… It would be helpful. But what’s needed is a passport, which he doesn’t have today, and the willingness to play, which exists. However, that must be confirmed at the call, in order to avoid other cases like Paolo Banchero.” He said.
For those who do not remember, Paolo talked with Italy before opting for Team USA. FIBA EuroBasket is the flagship competition of FIBA Europe. The 42nd edition will take place in Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland from August 27 to September 14. The draw for the tournament will take place in Riga, Latvia, on March 27.
If DiVincenzo decides to play for Italy, he will have a busy summer. The NBA season might last until May and then in late September players begin reporting to training camp for their respective teams. For the Timberwolves this season, Donte averages 11.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 39.5% shooting from behind the arc.
Donte’s Love for Italy Runs Deep
This is not the first time Donte expressed willingness to suit up for the Azzurri. Last summer, there were rumors he might suit up for the Italian team should they make it to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Sadly, Italy didn’t qualify. He couldn’t play in the qualifiers due to the Knicks’ deep playoff run.
While he wanted to play for Italy, he also acknowledged that “timing-wise” it was impossible. But that doesn’t mean his Olympic dream has finished. He will have another chance in 2028 in Los Angeles. Donte will be 31 years old at the time and will be a huge help for Italy.
Donte’s Italian Heritage Explained
Born in Newark, Delaware, Donte is an American-Italian. He attended high school in the USA and played college ball for the Villanova Wildcats. His Italian heritage stems from his parents, John and Kathy, who are both of Italian descent. Here is a fun fact about his father: he is an avid Knicks fan and constantly took Donte to Knicks games at Madison Square Garden. This is where DiVincenzo fell in love with the game of basketball.
Donte attended the Salesianum High School. He led them to two consecutive state championships and was named Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Associations Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year in 2015.
Photo credit: © Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
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