Uhh, No Duh: Italy's Basketball President Is Crying Like A Gigantic Baby Because Paolo Banchero Decided To Play For Team USA
Nothing gets me going like seeing Team USA in any sport getting other countries all pissy. This is the case for Paolo Banchero, who had the option to play for Italy or the USA and correctly chose the red, white and blue for the upcoming FIBA World Cup. No brainer. Here's the question - do you like winning? If so come play for the USA.
That's basically what happened with Banchero here. But the backstory is why Italy's basketball president is acting like a giant baby:
[Source] - Team USA won a recruiting battle this week, securing the commitment of current NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero to play in this summer's FIBA World Cup, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Orlando Magic star was previously verbally committed to playing for Italy.
The Italian Basketball Federation had been recruiting Banchero since he was 16 and helped him get a passport in 2020, clearing the way for him to join the team.
Banchero's father is of Italian heritage, and when Team USA didn't show him much attention in his teen years, Banchero said in interviews he was prepared to play for Team Italy in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it and left his path to play for Team USA open.
You know what, Italy? We'll give you Paolo Banchero and still beat you by 25. It's what we do in these events.*
* As long as we don't have the dumbass Celtics dominating the team like what happened the last FIBA World Cup
It's like anything else with recruiting and sports. You don't let him leave the place if you want him. You gotta find a way to convince him to stay. I'm sure the American recruiting was simple. Hey, we're Team USA, wanna play for us? That's it. That's all you have to say. Consider it payback for having to watch Andrea Bargnani as a Knick.
Advertisement
I actually enjoy FIBA World Cup and the Olympics. I know we tend to roll every other country in these events, especially when we send our best. But I also want to see what's our worst lineup we can send and still win. We got a decent roster going this summer:
Size is clearly a focal point for the roster, which is expected to include current Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., All-Rookie selection Walker Kessler and veteran big man Bobby Portis. Guards Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson and Austin Reaves are expected to be joined by forwards Brandon Ingram, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
It's a solid B- roster. Should at least make games somewhat close if we play our best, so entertain me before football starts. But this is about the USA. This is about the red, white and blue. Plain and simple we're going to do what we want when it comes to recruiting our own players. A verbal agreement ain't anything in sports. Welcome to the big leagues, Italy.