Paolo Banchero raised a huge dust-up with the decision to play for the USA in the future, and not for the Italian national team.
The Italian media followed the development of one of the world’s greatest talents with great attention. It was believed that Italy was getting a player for the next decade. However, three weeks ago there was a huge shock.
Banchero informed the public that he would play for the USA in World Cup, thus leaving the Italians without a huge reinforcement. When it comes to the reasons for such a decision, he points out that one of them is his mother, who also performed for the USA.
Banchero was part of the USA national team as a teenager, but he never got a spot in the final roster. The Italian federation contacted him and offered him the opportunity to play for them, given that his father is Italian.
“That was a time in my life where I felt like I couldn’t pass up on that opportunity because my dad’s side of the family is Italian. And I didn’t know much about my Italian heritage. So, I felt like that was the perfect way to get to know more and become closer with my Italian heritage, which I have since then“, Banchero began in an interview with the Associated Press, adding:
“It was a drawn-out process, choosing between USA and Italy. I decided this is where I wanted to be. My mother played for Team USA, so it was always a dream of mine.“
Banchero averaged 20 points and just under seven rebounds in 72 games played for Orlando Magic last season in NBA.