Paolo Banchero and blue: Gianni Petrucci freezes hopes

“Banchero wants Dream Team, but Pozzecco and I will go talk to him.”

Paolo Banchero is impressing in his NBA debut, racking up a string of big games with the Orlando Magic: the U.S. citizen with Italian citizenship against the Charlotte Hornets scored 21 points, and is in his sixth game in a row above 20, almost a first-round draft record.

In recent weeks there had been talk of his possible call-up to the Italian national team for the World Cup, and the player had raised hopes by remaining vague on the subject. However, Fip president Gianni Petrucci in an interview with La Stampa froze hopes.

“I have written to him and in December with Pozzecco and general manager Trainotti we will go and talk to him. Why should he choose Italy? All talks with parents lead us in this direction. He aims for Dream Team USA, but we are not third world compared to the NBA. In azzurro he can be number one.”