Blow for Italy as DiVincenzo withdraws from EuroBasket

• DiVincenzo Unexpected dismissal
• Replacement ready - Darius Thompson

DiVincenzo Unexpected dismissal

Although it was a hot topic recently that Minnesota guard Donte DiVincenzo would represent Italy at EuroBasket 2025, he will ultimately not be part of the Italian national team.

The news will be officially confirmed today at a press conference scheduled by head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and team coordinator Gigi Datome.

The American with Italian roots obtained Italian citizenship on July 14 and had expressed a strong desire to help the national team, but something seems to have changed — although the exact reason is still unknown.

Replacement ready - Darius Thompson

The Italian coaching staff didn’t waste time and quickly found a replacement: naturalized American guard Darius Thompson, who played for Anadolu Efes and recently signed with Valencia.

He will make his debut for Italy, a right he has as he is married to an Italian citizen. Last season, he averaged 10 points and 5 assists in the jersey of Anadolu Efes.

Gianmarco Pozzecco’s squad, led by Simone Fontecchio, Danilo Gallinari, and Nicolo Melli, will begin their EuroBasket campaign in Group C.

There, they will face Spain, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and the host nation Cyprus.