In a significant development for Italian basketball enthusiasts and the national team, NBA shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo has officially been granted Italian citizenship. The announcement, stemming from a note released by the Council of Ministers, marks a crucial step toward the possibility of the Minnesota Timberwolves player joining the Italian squad, known as the Azzurri, for the upcoming European Championship.
Citizenship Confirmed, Clock Ticking
The confirmation of DiVincenzo`s Italian citizenship opens a compelling new scenario for Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco`s team. The primary objective is clear: to have the sharpshooting 28-year-old available for the EuroBasket tournament scheduled to run from August 27th to September 14th across various host cities, with the final phases taking place in Riga. Italy is set to tip off its campaign on August 28th against Greece.
However, while the passport is now in hand, the situation remains a race against time. Several additional bureaucratic steps must still be completed. More significantly, securing approval from his NBA team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, is mandatory for DiVincenzo to participate in international competition during the NBA off-season. This layer of corporate authorization adds a tangible element of suspense to the process.
Enthusiasm vs. Bureaucracy
What appears to be working firmly in Italy`s favor is DiVincenzo`s reported strong desire to represent the nation of his ancestors. This stands in notable contrast to previous instances involving Italian-American players. Italian Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, publicly confirmed this enthusiasm, stating that DiVincenzo “had all the qualifications to become an Italian citizen and had already expressed his enthusiasm for wearing the blue jersey.”
The formal note from the Council of Ministers underscored the basis for the citizenship grant: a proposal to the President of the Republic for the conferral of Italian citizenship for “special merits” to Mr. Donte Michael DiVincenzo, identified as a professional basketball player of U.S. nationality, citing Article 9, paragraph 2, of Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992. With a player of Donte`s caliber potentially in the mix, the future for Italian basketball does indeed look brighter.
Profile of a Champion
DiVincenzo brings an impressive resume to the table. A shooting guard known for his scoring prowess and accuracy from beyond the arc, he won two NCAA championships with the Villanova Wildcats in 2016 and 2018, earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the latter tournament. He also boasts an NBA championship ring from his time with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Affectionately known by nicknames such as the “Michael Jordan of Delaware” or, perhaps more fittingly given the context, “The Big Ragù,” DiVincenzo has carved out a solid NBA career since entering the league in 2018, with stints at Milwaukee, Sacramento, Golden State, New York, and most recently, Minnesota.
In conclusion, the granting of Italian citizenship to Donte DiVincenzo is a significant, tangible step towards boosting the Azzurri`s talent pool. The path to the European Championship roster, however, is not yet fully cleared, dependent on navigating the final administrative hurdles and securing the necessary green light from his NBA employers. Italian basketball fans are now eagerly watching, hoping that the `race against time` concludes with DiVincenzo proudly sporting the Italian blue jersey come August.
Murray Blackwood