Italy Criticizes Paolo Banchero for Opting for Team USA Ahead of 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

• Paolo Banchero has been blasted by the Italian Basketball Federation for opting for Team USA instead of Italy
• IBF president Gianni Petrucci called Banhero's decision a 'betrayal'
• The father of the Orlando Magic star and 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year is of Italian descent
• Banchero was born in the U.S. but has an Italian passport and previously said he would play for Italy

Italian Basketball Federation president, Gianni Petrucci has slammed Orlando Magic player, Paolo Banchero for choosing to play for Team USA in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Banchero was accused of fooling Italy after previously saying he would love to play for them.

The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in his rookie season, performances which earned him the Rookie of the Year Award.

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The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on June 24 that the Magic star had decided to play for Team USA this summer in the Philippines.

The 20-year-old, whose father is of Italian descent, was given an Italian passport in early 2020.

Italy blast Banchero

Petrucci accused Banchero of failing to communicate his decision early.

"It was a legitimate decision, but he could have made a call to communicate that to us. Instead, we learned about his decision from the newspapers," he said, via BasketNews.

He termed Banchero's decision as a 'betrayal'.

"Betrayal, especially in basketball, is a strong word. Situations like this happen, and personally, I'm used to it. But he fooled us, we were planning a great commercial strategy for him."

Italy are in Group A with Angola, the Dominican Republic, and the host nation Philippines.

Team USA are in Group C alongside Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand.

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Banchero makes history

Sports Brief earlier reported on Banchero making history when the Magic played the New Orleans Pelicans in February.

In that game, he recorded the 30th game in which he scored at least 20 points.

That moved the former Duke star one game ahead of Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway for the second-most 20-point games by an Orlando rookie.