Out of all the teams that Team USA could have faced in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, it was the Italian national team.
Team USA has a key player, Paolo Banchero, with a strong connection to Italy. Banchero, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is from Washington but was eligible to play for the Italian national team as a duel citizen.
When he was just 17 years old, he was selected to the 24-man squad before the Eurobasket qualification games in November 2020. He did not play. As recently as last year, however, Banchero said he was “planning to play” for the Italian national team.
But when he received an invitation to play for Team USA at the 2023 FIBA FIBA World Cup, despite the longstanding interest from Italy, he accepted and said that he drew inspiration from his mother (via The Athletic):
“To represent your country is bigger than yourself. … It was a drawn-out process, choosing between (USA and Italy). I decided this is where I wanted to be. My mother played for Team USA, so it was always a dream of mine.”
Banchero, who was the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year, would have had a massive offensive load for the Italian national team. Instead, he is more of a role player for Team USA.
Gianni Petrucci, the president of the Italian Basketball Federation, was predictably unhappy (via La Gazzetta dello Sport)
“Betrayal, especially in basketball, is a strong word. Situations like this happen, and personally, I’m used to it. But he fooled us, we were planning a great commercial strategy for him.”
Before the game against Italy, Banchero was asked if he had a message for the Italian fans. Banchero said that he did not have anything to say to them.
Paolo Banchero+Italy: The end of a love story #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/GK8ea5pzE7
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 4, 2023
So before tipoff on Tuesday evening in the Philippines, it wasn’t exactly much of a surprise when Banchero was showered with boos from the Italian fans that traveled to the game.
According to reporter Nicole Ganglani, the forward was “greeted with boos” by the crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena. But the jeers were from just a “small contingent” of fans, per reporter Joe Viray.
Paolo Banchero was greeted with boos by the Italy crowd here at the Mall of Asia Arena
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) September 5, 2023
It wasn’t a warm welcome for Banchero in front of these Italian fans.
Some even held signs potentially equating Banchero to Pinocchio, likely suggesting that the Orlando forward is a liar.
The Italians are still upset with Banchero's decision to snub them and play for USA. This game will be fun… pic.twitter.com/MwVQ8AKdLD
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) September 5, 2023
