Team USA is undeniably the dream for many players in the NBA. However, Paolo Banchero chose to stand differently as he intended to represent Italy’s national basketball team. This came as a shock to the fans and they started wondering about Banchero’s ethnicity and nationality.
Banchero made a debut in the NBA in 2022 after being picked by the Orlando Magic. He made waves even before he played a single game as he was the first overall pick. In his rookie year, he was named 4x Rookie of the Month, 1x Rookie of the Year, and 1x All-Rookie Team. Additionally, Banchero dropped his career-high points of 33 in November 2022.
Check out Paolo Banchero’s rookie scoring highlights!@Pp_doesit averaged 20/7/4 this season
The only rookies in history to match his numbers:
Luka
Blake Griffin
Jordan
Bird
Sidney Wicks
Kareem
Oscar Robertson
Elgin BaylorROTY
Full video on YouTube:https://t.co/9RRSOcre0g pic.twitter.com/GobY56tQs4
— Orlando Magic Moments (@ORLMagicMoments) April 16, 2023
Furthermore, Banchero has spoken about his intentions to represent Italy in various interviews. He has stated, “It kept building inside me, you know, this interest for Italy and the love I’ve been feeling from the country. So I’m excited to play for Italy, representing Italy, and eventually get out there”. Bachero added that he intends to play for Italy’s national team.
Additionally, he revealed that he hopes that his international career starts as his NBA career takes off. Banchero while speaking about the support that he has received said that it has been fantastic. He added, “The amount of love I’m getting from there it’s crazy, man. It’s crazy. I can’t wait to go to Italy”. His fans in Italy were amused to hear that he was planning to represent them and awaited for the day to come.
Is Paolo Banchero from Italy?
Paolo Banchero’s intentions to play for Italy’s national team were not rooted because of the love that he was receiving them. Instead, it was his connection to the lands of Italy that prompted him to think about his basketball career in the country. Even though, Banchero was not born or brought up in Italy, his generational roots did.
In his appearance on the ‘Young Person Basketball‘ podcast, Banchero discussed his roots in Italy while talking about his family and hometown. He revealed, “My dad’s side is Italian. His great-grandfather, my great great grandfather, was born in Italy and then moved all the way to Seattle and built a family there”. Additionally, he spoke about how growing up he always wondered why his name was different from other kids.
Furthermore, he reminisced about the time when he was 16 years old and Italy’s national team reached out to his father. They inquired about Banchero’s Italian roots, and whether he could get citizenship. Additionally, he ended up meeting them at the Italian embassy in San Francisco. Eventually, the Orlando Magic‘ forward got his Italian passport.
Additionally, he stated, “I’m planning to play for the Italian national team, I’m not sure when”. Everyone suspected that he would represent Italy in the Olympics, however, his agent, Mike Miller explained that he wishes to play for both the national teams. Banchero had to decide to pick one, and he chose Team USA at the end of the day.