Italbasket, 12 Azzurri chosen for the World Cup
Italbasket, the summoned players
At the end of Ravenna’s match against Puerto Rico, head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco chose the 12 Azzurri who will take part in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023 in the Philippines: Guglielmo Caruso and Tomas Woldetensae were cleared to leave the gathering.
These World Azzurri:
#0 Marco Spissu (1995, 185, Playmaker, Umana Reyer Venezia)
#7 Stefano Tonut (1993, 194, Guard, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
#9 Nicolò Melli (1991, 205, Wing, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
#13 Simone Fontecchio (1995, 203, Wing, Utah Jazz – NBA)
#17 Giampaolo Ricci (1991, 202, Wing, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
#18 Matteo Spagnolo (2003, 194, Playmaker, Alba Berlin – Germany)
#33 Achille Polonara (1991, 205, Wing, Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
#35 Mouhamet Diouf (2001, 206, Wing/Center, Río Breogán – Spain)
#40 Luca Severini (1996, 204, Wing/Center, Bertram Yacht Tortona)
#50 Gabriele Procida (2002, 200, Guard/Ala, Alba Berlin – Germany)
#54 Alessandro Pajola (1999, 194, Playmaker, Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
#70 Luigi Datome (1987, 203, Wing, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
After two rounds of rest (Aug. 14 and 15), the national team will assemble again in Rome and then leave for Asia on Aug. 17. Stop in China in Shenzhen for the last two friendlies before the World Cup debut. August 20 against Brazil (9 a.m. Italian time) and August 21 against New Zealand (11:30 a.m. Italian time).
On Aug. 25 the rainbow opener against Angola (10 a.m.) in Manila’s spectacular Philippine Arena, a 55,000-seat facility. On the second day the Azzurri will take on the Dominican Republic (10 a.m., Araneta Coliseum) and on the third day the hosts Philippines (2 p.m., Araneta Coliseum). The FIBA World Cup will be broadcast by Rai, DAZN and Sky Sports.
