Magic's Paolo Banchero National Team Decision 'Not Easy!'

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero made the choice to represent Team USA instead of Italy.

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic phenom Paolo Banchero faced a difficult decision on which country he would represent this summer before the 2023 FIBA World Cup. 

"Choosing between Italy and the United States was not easy," Banchero told GQ Italia. "I respect the players of the Italian national team very much." 

He gets his Italian heritage from his father, Mario, even receiving Italian citizenship in February of 2020 due to his ancestry. Banchero heavily considered playing for the Italian National Team and representing his father's country. 

However, Banchero also had strong ties to Team USA through his mother, Rhonda. 

"My mom is one of my role models and she played on the US national team," Banchero said. "Being able to continue on the path opened by her means a lot to me."

His mother played professional basketball for the Seattle Reign, Portland Power, and Sacramento Monarchs after a Hall of Fame collegiate career at the University of Washington. 

Banchero made the decision to represent Team USA this summer at the FIBA World Cup, donning the stars and stripes like his mom before him. He knows it won't be easy playing a different style of basketball under FIBA rules, but he's prepared for the challenge. 

"I'm excited by the idea of ​​being able to play in the World Cup," Banchero said. "I know it will be a demanding competition, but I feel ready."

Team USA will play its first game of the tournament on Aug. 26 at 8:40 a.m. against New Zealand. 

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