The Italy coach also met DiVincenzo in person: “Donte is receptive, he could be an important presence. We are also organizing ourselves at a scouting level to follow the boys in their progress”
Luca Banchi’s trip to the States was short but decidedly intense and had an important meaning. The national team, in fact, makes it clear that it is close to the Italians who have chosen, and who will choose in the future, thanks above all to the economic opportunities that colleges now provide through the NIL, the American path. Starting from New York, Banchi stopped in Boston and Miami, also visiting collegiate towns such as St. Bonaventure and Durham, home of course to Duke. The message is clear, America is carefully monitored by coach Banchi and by the network of scouts that the Federation is weaving. “A short but decidedly profitable trip – underlines the Italian coach – some of our boys were away from home due to the NCAA tournament but I was able to see several athletes in person, making them understand that the national team, and the entire Italian basketball movement, is close to them”.
In Boston you also met Donte DiVincenzo for the first time, what impression did he make on you?
“We had already spoken by phone but they also wanted to get to know us because I wanted to introduce myself in person to explain our project to them. He seemed decidedly receptive, but we know well that with the windows for the World Cup qualifying matches being set, making discussions about his call-up becomes complicated. It is difficult to hypothesize his involvement this summer, but I believe that in the future he could become an important presence in a team that is getting younger and also needs experienced players.”
What answers did you get from Simone Fontecchio instead?
“Simone naturally remains a fixed point but we know that his participation in the summer depends on factors outside of our control. Just as for DiVincenzo there will be a contractual situation to manage which gives no guarantees for our timing, having said this Fontecchio knows well how important he is for us”.
With the NIL more and more Italian basketball players will choose the college path, how does the national team position itself in this new context?
“It’s true, we have around fifty kids in the various colleges who need to be monitored and who deserve to be supported, which is why we are also organizing ourselves at a scouting level, to follow their progress knowing full well that many more will arrive next season. Furthermore, we also want to study a transition program for the basketball players who return from their American experience and who are competing with the Italian championship, to continue their development.”
Riccardo Fois remains fundamental for the Federation in the USA but Filippo Messina, head manager at Duke who will join the Blue Devils’ technical staff next year, will also have a role. What do you expect from them?
“Riccardo needs no introduction, he has an incredible network of contacts and is having an important career in the NBA. For us he is a real point of reference in the USA. Filippo will help us follow the many Italian players in college, he is a truly reliable boy who is growing basketball in an extraordinary program like Duke. An certainly important addition for us.”
In Miami you also met Danilo Gallinari, is there a possibility that he could have a role in the national team in the future?
“Danilo is a great resource for us and is doing excellent things in his post-competitive career transition, a statement that also applies to guys like Marco Belinelli and Andrea Bargnani, true symbols of Italian basketball. He is an absolute excellence in an area that is becoming increasingly important for us.”
