By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After moving from Segafredo Virtus Bologna to Fortitudo Pompea Bologna, Pietro Aradori was cut from Italy’s World Cup roster, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport. It also seems like the 30-year-old swingman was unsympathetic to Meo Sacchetti’s decision.
The report states that the 30-year-old swingman skipped the morning video session and is contemplating immediately returning to Italy. His national team is currently in Athens for the Acropolis International Tournament and will afterwards travel to China for the final set of friendly games ahead of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Awudu Abass, Marco Belinelli, Paul Biligha, Jeff Brooks, Amedeo Della Valle, Ariel Filloy, Alessandro Gentile, Daniel Hackett, Giampaolo Ricci, Brian Sacchetti, Amedeo Tessitori and Luca Vitali are available for the two remaining matches of the Acropolis International Tournament.
Danilo Gallinari and Luigi Datome are still out, but are expected to be part of Italy’s final World Cup squad. Thus, two more players will be cut by 65-year-old Sacchetti.
The Azzurri will ultimately go against the Philippines, Angola and Serbia at Foshan in Group D action of the World Cup.
UPDATE: The Italian Basket Federation confirms Pietro Aradori will not be part of World Cup squad and grants his request to return to Italy
Pietro Aradori non parteciperà, per scelta tecnica, alla FIBA World Cup 2019. Il CT Meo Sacchetti lo ha comunicato questa mattina all’Azzurro, che è stato autorizzato a lasciare il raduno di Atene domani in giornata. #Italbasket #NothingButAzzurri pic.twitter.com/MQll00oZ9D
— Italbasket (@Italbasket) August 17, 2019