MINNEAPOLIS (USA) - Italy's efforts to get NBA guard Donte DiVincenzo into an Italia jersey might finally bear fruit as the Minnesota Timberwolves star admitted he would love to represent the country after a meeting with two of Italy's leading basketball figures.
DiVincenzo met to have dinner with Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco as well as the men's national team coordinator and recently retired captain Gigi Datome. And the 28-year-old gave Azzurri fans hope for a major boost to the team at this summer's FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
My intention is to wear the Azzurri jersey.
"It would be amazing for me to represent Italy," DiVincenzo told La Gazzetta dello Sport about the meeting.
In addition to Datome and Pozzecco, Italian international star Simone Fontecchio was also at the dinner, which took place on the eve of Minnesota's game against Fontecchio's Detroit Pistons.
"It was really nice to meet the coach," DiVincenzo said. "Everyone made a great impression on me. We didn't talk about basketball, and honestly, that was actually quite pleasant. I think it was a very productive dinner, and at the same time, I felt comfortable with everyone - of course, including Simone."
One major sticking point for DiVincenzo joining Italy for this summer's EuroBasket from August 27 to September 14 is his passport - which apparently is still in the works.
"The timing depends on bureaucratic documents. But my intention is to wear the Azzurri jersey. My father and my agent are handling the passport, while I'm focusing on this final stretch of the regular season," he said.
When asked by the newspaper if there is a good chance he will be at the EuroBasket on August 27, DiVincenzo answered: "I’d say so. We're all on the same page. Now, we just have to wait for the documents to arrive."
While he was born in Delaware, DiVincenzo's family has strong ties to Italy.
"They're all very proud of my choice and hope this project comes to fruition. Even my fiancee, who is of Italian descent, is pushing in this direction."
Italy and Pozzecco could likely use DiVincenzo's firepower as they have been drawn into Group C of the EuroBasket along with co-hosts Cyprus, defending champions Spain, Greece, Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The two-time European champions - in 1983 and 1999 - have reached the Quarter-Finals in each of the last four EuroBaskets, but Italy's last top four finish came with a third place in 2003.
DiVincenzo has proven to be a winner, having won the NBA trophy with Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. He also helped Villanova to two NCAA college titles, claiming Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament in 2018.
FIBA