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Paolo Banchero | Who is it | Origins Liguria | Savignone

The NBA draft, the event in which the American basketball franchises choose the best talents from US universities or foreign championships, speaks Italian, and a little Genoese too. The first absolute choice was in fact Paolo Banchero, born in 2002 in Seattle but with an Italian passport and with clear Italian and Ligurian origins. He was selected by the Orlando Magic.

Paolo’s Ligurian great-grandparents emigrated to the United States from Savignone at the beginning of the twentieth century, to work as farmers and miners in the coal mines. The parents were both athletes: the father, Mario Banchero, is a former college-level American football player, while the mother, Rhonda Smith, played in the top women’s basketball league (WNBA).

Paolo Napoleon James Banchero (this is his full name) said he was ready to play also for the Italian national team, the Italian basketball federation commented in a note: “The congratulations of Fip President Giovanni Petrucci and of Italian basketball go to him for the ‘important result achieved, waiting to see him soon in the blue jersey “.

The president of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti also commented: “The Italian-American basketball player, originally from Savignone, is the second Italian in history to reach this extraordinary milestone and is ready to bring a bit of Liguria to the most beautiful basketball championship in the world. world. Come on Paolo, we are waiting for you in Italy “.

At the Gazzetta dello sport, a couple of hours after the call, he confirmed his intention to play for the national team. “I want to thank the Italian fans, I felt their love and support throughout the season. I repeat that I will play for the national team, not this summer but next. A promise? Of course, rest assured.” An absolute first choice “blue”, then 16 years after Andrea Bargnani? “Well honestly, to define myself like this is not very fair towards Andrea Bargnani – concludes Banchero – he was born and raised in Italy, I in Seattle. But I am still very proud to be able to represent Italy in the NBA”.

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