The journey that will take the Italian national team to the FIBA World Cup 2023 scheduled in the Philippines between August 25 and September 10 begins with the camp in Folgaria (Trentino).
There are also the Sassari point guard Macro Spissu (Venice) and the Olbia winger Gigi Datome (Milan) among the 16-man squad. And they will almost certainly remain even when the blue patrol is reduced to 12: Spissu is one of coach Pozzecco's praetorians and Datome, the captain, will end his excellent career in blue.
These are the others called up: Mannion (Baskonia, Spain), Tonut (Milan), Melli (Milan), Fontecchio (Utah Jazz, available from July 28), Ricci (Milan), Spanish (Real Madrid), Caruso (Milan), Polonara (Virtus Bologna), Diouf (Breogan, Spain), Visconti (Pesaro), Severini (Tortona), Procida (Alba Berlin, Germany), Woldentensae (Varese) and Pajola (Virtus Bologna)
Seven friendlies to select the 12 definitive blues. The first two tests will be those of the Trentino Basket Cup which will be played at the BLM Group Arena in Trento on 4 and 5 August. Italy-Turkey (20.30) and China-Cape Verde (18) will be the semifinals (4 August) which will then determine the finals of the following day (5 August, 6 and 8.30 pm).
