'I can't wait to go to Italy' - Banchero Confirms Commitment To Italian National Team

Post #1 » by **Knightro** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:53 pm

In a conversation with his teammate R.J. Hampton, No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero talked about the process of getting Italian citizenship, his plans to join the Italian national team, and the amount of love he's receiving from the country.

If there's one country with a lot of excitement for this young man, it's definitely Italy. Banchero received his Italian passport in the summer of 2020 and is now eligible to play for the Italian national team.

During a conversation with his Orlando Magic teammate R.J. Hampton, who hosts the show 'Young Person,' Banchero explained the process that led him to get the Italian passport.

"When I was 16, the Italian national team reached out to my dad," Banchero explained during the podcast. "They were like, 'does he have Italian roots? Can he get citizenship? And my dad told them yes. So the whole process started, I flew to San Francisco multiple times to meet them at the Italian embassy, we had a few meetings, and I ended up getting my Italian passport."

"I'm planning to play for the Italian national team, I'm not sure when," Banchero added. "I haven't been out there yet, but man, the amount of love I'm getting from there it's crazy, man. It's crazy. I can't wait to go to Italy".

READ MORE (free): https://basketnews.com/news-180156-paolo-banchero-i-cant-wait-to-go-to-italy.html

Rainwater · Post #2 » by **Rainwater** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:25 pm

I believe he has the right to play for any country he has citizenship for but I really believe he should be playing for Team USA. He is American, he was born and raised here (to my knowledge). He is more American than Italian but the question a rises what makes one more American than another culture and who am I to decide this.

ORLMagicGirl15 · Post #3 » by **ORLMagicGirl15** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:44 pm

Rainwater wrote:I believe he can play for any country he has citizenship for but I really believe he should be playing for Team USA. He is American, he was born and raised here (to my knowledge). He is more American than Italian but the question arises what makes one more American than another culture and who am I to decide this.

While I agree with you, I can understand that he wants to play for Italy if he can’t make it on the USA team.

Rainwater · Post #4 » by **Rainwater** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:55 pm

ORLMagicGirl15 wrote:
Rainwater wrote:I believe he can play for any country he has citizenship for but I really believe he should be playing for Team USA. He is American, he was born and raised here (to my knowledge). He is more American than Italian but the question arises what makes one more American than another culture and who am I to decide this.

While I agree with you, I can understand that he wants to play for Italy if he can’t make it on the USA team.

Yeah, agree but I feel like once he hits his prime team USA would love to have on the team.

Post #5 » by **Def Swami** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:07 pm

It's cool that our two best players represent Italy and Germany. I love how international the game has become.

Ralof · Post #6 » by **Ralof** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:34 pm

IS a bit of hot topic here,at least in"sport news"(when we are not talking about every little detaille about italian soccer teams,lol)

everyday something new happens,some kind of new interview about him,so i really think he is just trying to keep all the doors open,rightfully so from his point of view.

would be great for italy to add him,at same time he is fully american,would be normal to play for team usa.

fendilim · Post #7 » by **fendilim** » Tue Nov 1, 2022 12:49 am

Big fish, small pond.

Good decision.

MasterGMer · Post #8 » by **MasterGMer** » Tue Nov 1, 2022 3:01 am

I think it is going to be a choice between Italy and USA. It will be good for him to play USA since he is an American.

But playing for Italy is more challenging. Plus he can get a lot of endorsement $$.