By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Danilo Gallinari possibly suiting up for Italy in the 2023 FIBA World Cup seems unlikely.
Gallinari, 34, has been sidelined with a torn ACL in his left knee since September. On international duty with Italy, he was hurt in a FIBA World Cup Qualifiers contest leading to him being ruled out for the following 2022 EuroBasket. From there, he sat out the entire 2022-23 NBA season.
Earlier in the offseason, he inked a two-year, $13.2 million contract with the Boston Celtics as an unrestricted free agent. Unfortunately, he has yet to play for his sixth NBA team all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals and the ongoing best-of-seven series opposite the Miami Heat. And is expected to also sit out the remainder of the Playoffs.
Italy is currently awaiting a potential boost to the squad through NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero. Besides the Orlando Magic star, additional players are on the checklist. Uncertainty regarding the players suiting up for head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco this summer extends to Gallinari.
“I don’t know if it’s going to happen this summer”
Gallinari suggested he would need to talk with Boston officials before deciding on whether he can play for Italy in Asia from 25 August to 10 September.
“I think it’s something, just like every year, where I sit down with the team and see what’s going on,” the experienced forward told The Athletic referring to necessary discussions with the Celtics about his recovery being connected to Italy’s senior national team, “I’m far away from playing in a game. I’ve started doing a little bit of contact but not like game-type of contact.”
The Azzurri are set to face Angola, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines in Group A of the World Cup’s preliminary round. The second-round opponents are attached to Group B action between South Sudan, Serbia, China, and Puerto Rico. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen this summer,” commented Gallinari on his participation.
His international experience includes the 2019 FIBA World Cup plus three editions of EuroBasket from 2011 to 2015. The Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks shape the NBA path over the last 15 years.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL