In theory, Paolo Banchero would be the future flagbearer of the Italian national team, but the expected-to-be NBA rookie of the year may have other plans after all. Talking to the “Knuckleheads” podcast of former players Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles, Banchero opened the door for the possibility to play in the USA national team.

When asked if he would play for the US, Banchero answered back: “I don’t know yet, This is the question that everyone asks me all the time”. Speaking about his ties to Italy, Banchero explains: “My father is called Mario, his brother is called Giulio, my uncle Angelo – we have all these names Italians, and of course growing up I wondered where they came from.”