Mastodon
@National Basketball Association

[Charania] Orlando’s Paolo Banchero – the NBA’s Rookie of the Year – has committed to play for Team USA’s national team at the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines this summer, sources tell me and @joevardon.



[Charania] Orlando’s Paolo Banchero – the NBA’s Rookie of the Year – has committed to play for Team USA’s national team at the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines this summer, sources tell me and @joevardon.

by SpiritedSuccess5675

33 Comments

  1. likpoper

    Quite a strong team to be honest. Need Mobley there or Allen

  2. SpiritedSuccess5675

    I feel bad for Italy, I thought he will end up with them

  3. horseshoeoverlook

    I thought he was an Italian haha

  4. SquimJim

    US National Team is loaded this time around lol:

    – Jaren Jackson Jr.
    – Anthoney Edwards
    – Tyrese Haliburton
    – Brandon Ingram
    – Jalen Brunson
    – Austin Reaves
    – Mikal Bridges
    – Bobby Portis
    – Walker Kessler
    – Cam Johnson
    – Paolo Banchero

    One more spot to fill. Probably need another big/defensive anchor type. People have also mentioned the need for experience with international competition. Bam Adebayo?

    Edit: Ok ok ok, maybe not *loaded* in a sense that this is the best that US can offer, but *loaded* in a sense of relative talent compared to the competition. 6 all-star quality players and 4 very high-end role players…and that was before Banchero and the 12th addition.

    Edit 2: I think the disconnect might come from comparing FIBA teams to Olympic teams. Personally, I think this is one of the better FIBA teams in a little bit.

  5. cTheDeezy

    US are now securing dual nationals even in basketball… What a time.

  6. No-Muffin3595

    In italy we didn’t believe for a single moment that he would play for us. I don’t want that in my national team, you need to be proud to play for us not treat us like this so….

  7. thewrongnotes

    He’s just been to Italy for the first time, so I guess he wasn’t impressed with what he saw (basketball-wise, that is).

  8. spidersilva09

    Whoa I figured he was a lock to play for Italy. Excited to see him on that stage

  9. spidersilva09

    Idk who the starters will be but here’s who we have so far:

    PG – Brunson | Haliburton | ?

    SG – Edwards | Reaves

    SF – Bridges | Johnson

    PF – Ingram | Banchero | Portis

    C – Jackson Jr | Kessler

    11 down, 1 to go.

  10. jjgshnimnt

    This team is fucking awesome. Seriously excited to watch them. Canada still has the 2 best players if they matchup 😎

  11. aospfods

    Since the moment he started to show superstar potential it was clear that he was not going to play for us

  12. RuttedPanda76

    All that just to lose to Kai sotto smh/s

  13. toremysackola

    He’s gonna average 12/5/1 on 38% shooting.

  14. Casciuss

    Too bad for us but at least we saw It coming. Lets Hope Italy can still be competitive

  15. narutoninetailedfox

    Hopefully he removes the Italian flag from his IG bio now.

  16. Shot-Technician1065

    Looks like Team USA is ready to dominate…unless they come up against the Monstars.

  17. 36Vigilantes

    Starting lineup will feature Paolo.

    As a magic fan I’m stoked for him to display his talents on a larger stage, his rookie year didn’t get amplified enough for my liking.

    Zero national games.

    P5 get used to hoisting trophies.

  18. MyMindWasAFortress

    Embiid with France, Banchero with USA running from the grind smh

  19. adognamedpenguin

    Brunson
    Edwards
    Ingram
    Jackson Jr
    Banchero as your starting 5?

  20. rtillaree

    America, you’re welcome.

    -Orlando Magic

  21. CoaxHoax

    > On June 24 last year, just before the draft, he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport:

    > “The support I have received so far from Italy has been fantastic. This summer, I won’t be able to play with the national team, but next summer, I will be there”.

    > In late October, Banchero visited his then-teammate RJ Hampton’s podcast, emphasizing his choice of the Italian national team quite sharply:

    > “Team USA? No, I’m with Italy now.”

    many things change within a year

  22. SincereFan

    Paolo starts easily. The greatest player to ever hit the court.

  23. TiggleBitMoney

    You mean to tell me the guy born and raised in the US is playing for the US National team?

Write A Comment