Donte DiVincenzo withdraws from EuroBasket due to injury, Italian's NT announced

The Coordinator of Men’s National Teams Operations, Gigi Datome, and Head Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco spoke at a press conference this afternoon at 15:00 in Milan at the CONI Lombardia headquarters on Via Giovanni Battista Piranesi 46 (Room A). It all began with a message from Donte DiVincenzo, who officially confirmed his absence from EuroBasket 2025: "Hello everyone, I just wanted to say how happy and excited I am to finally become an Italian citizen. I thank the Federation and Italian institutions for making this happen in record time. Unfortunately, I’m sorry not to be able to join the national team because of a physical issue that in recent days forced me to make this difficult decision. My goal remains the same: to pursue a journey with Italbasket—World Cup, Olympics, and for a long time. I just wanted to show my commitment. See you soon."

Gigi Datome:
“Unfortunately he won’t be with us—he experienced a flare-up of a physical problem. We tried to assess if it could be resolved, but specialist examinations revealed it will take weeks. Consequently, there’s no time for him to be available for EuroBasket. This is not an ordinary injury—he generated significant interest, including from the media. He obtained citizenship through special merits, thanks to the involvement of the highest levels of the State. Everything was done out of respect and esteem for our president, Petrucci. We thank all those who worked to achieve this citizenship. We wanted to be here to say that this decision was made with great reluctance. We had already spoken with Thompson, who was available to step in even if DiVincenzo’s citizenship hadn’t come through. We reached out again—he reaffirmed his willingness and will join us in Trieste. We’re disappointed—for us, for the work that was done, and for the player. But we’re here also to draw a line: we did everything possible. Injuries are part of the game. There is a European Championship to prepare for, and I think it's right that attention remain on the group preparing for it. On the 22nd, DiVincenzo took the oath in Chicago to obtain citizenship.”

Gianmarco Pozzecco:
“I feel mixed emotions. I share Gigi’s thanks fully. I’m grateful to President Mattarella and all who contributed to making it possible for Donte to obtain a passport. Clearly, in the basketball world we are incredibly fortunate because we have a president I’d describe as a master key, Petrucci, who can open any door. I’ve always said that for Italy to have a naturalized player, there must be both passport and desire. In this case we had both. We managed to gather the documents to secure a passport for Donte—he had expressed the desire long ago. A promise he kept. We hadn’t factored in one of the laws of sport: injuries. It's typical, as often happens with players—the case here being Donte—who is deprived of living certain emotions. I’m partially happy to say we already have another solution—Darius Thompson. I must thank the staff, Datome, Petrucci, Trainotti: clearly, from my personal perspective, having the possibility of another viable option is no small thing. Of course timing doesn’t help, but when injuries occur, the path becomes complicated. After a few days of training camp, we need to create an identity. The guys are working with great seriousness and availability. They understand the moment, know we don’t have much time, and are giving their best. Integrating Thompson—probably in Trieste—will be complex but eased by the willingness of my players.

Continues:
“I’m saddened by what happened to Donte. He expressed the intention to play for Italy—not just in words. At the moment I don’t feel comfortable making a direct comparison with Thompson. They clearly have different characteristics. NBA fans would’ve wanted to see DiVincenzo, while EuroLeague followers might recognize Thompson has European experience. My only real concern is timing. It seems to me, compared to last summer, that players now understand the sense of responsibility required when representing the national team—an almost necessary drive to step up in the national team, which doesn't happen in club play. All of this must be supported by consistent basketball quality, which we have to assemble without Thompson until he arrives. I understand the fans’ disappointment—we’re all sorry. However, the message I deliver is one of optimism: sooner or later, Donte will play with us. I’m extremely sorry because perhaps I won’t be the one to coach him.”