Italy Aims for EuroBasket Glory with Star Power in 2025

ROME, Italy — Italy’s national basketball team is gearing up for the 2025 EuroBasket Championship, aiming to secure their first medal since 2003. Head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco is optimistic, hoping to leverage the potential naturalization of Donte DiVincenzo and the return of veteran Danilo Gallinari to strengthen the roster.

Italy’s last EuroBasket medal was a bronze, earned over two decades ago in 2003. Since then, the Azzurri have struggled to replicate that success, despite qualifying for the Athens 2004 Olympics, where they captured a silver medal. Now, with EuroBasket approaching, Pozzecco is keen to build a competitive squad, mindful of the depth available to other nations like France.

“A year ago, I was working in ASVEL,” Pozzecco said. “I saw (Vincent) Collet, the French coach, and asked how many players he was choosing for his national team. ’24,’ he replied. How small is the pond I’m fishing in compared to theirs? I have 18 players left, including eight that everyone would choose, and I hope the rest are well.”

In a recent EuroBasket quarter-final, France edged out Italy with a narrow 93-85 victory in overtime, highlighting the challenge Italy faces. However, Pozzecco remains confident in the team’s capabilities, noting their victories over Serbia in recent matches. “On paper, we couldn’t do all that. And yet we did,” he admitted, acknowledging areas for improvement. “But a failure? Come on!”

Another focal point for Italy’s future is DiVincenzo, a 28-year-old shooting guard and current NBA player with the Golden State Warriors. Pozzecco confirmed he is pursuing DiVincenzo’s naturalization. “We’re working on the DiVincenzo case and I’ll talk to him soon. It would be helpful, but we need a passport and his willingness to play,” he elaborated.

Pozzecco is also hopeful about Gallinari’s potential return. “I’m counting on Gallinari; he deserves to finish in blue with a great tournament,” he said, looking forward to potential contributions from both players.