May has begun and in exactly two months, from 2 to 7 July, theItalbasket a place at the Paris Olympics will be played for with the Pre-Olympic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Four years after taking part in those in Tokyo, the Azzurri will attempt what today seems like another undertaking, considering that in all probability the direct opponent on Italy’s path will be the Lithuania which has already had the availability of the two NBA big men Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas. Looking at our house, the last two/three weeks it was a succession of bad news: the operations of Gabriele Procida and Matteo Spagnolo, the big toe problem which worries Simone Fontecchio quite a bit, and finally on Sunday the injury of Luca Severini, whose season is over. Which national team will we go to San Juan with?
Among the point guards there seems to be little doubt, with the confirmation of the trio Spissu (Venice), Mannion (Varese), Pajola (Virtus). Big problem among the wingers: Belinelli now seems to be excluded, Fontecchio must first resolve his injury (with also an important summer in terms of contract for his future in the NBA), and the only certainties remain Awudu Abass (Virtus)which as confirmed by Poz will be there, and Stefano Tonut (Olimpia). As for the 4/5, there should be no bad surprises with Nicolò Melli (Olimpia), Achille Polonara (Virtus) and Pippo Ricci (Olimpia). And under the basket Danilo Gallinari (Bucks)down 2-3 with Milwaukee in the first playoff series with the Pacers, and Amedeo Tessitori (Venice). Who’s missing?
So there would be 10 of them, with Fontecchio 11 and therefore with only one slot to fill. The hope is to have Drew Eubanks, whose naturalization was expected at the end of April. At the moment nothing is known, although theoretically the long list presented to FIBA should be made known. Obviously Donte DiVincenzo is impossible, in case of nothing done with Eubanks his passport position could be taken by John Petrucelli. There may be alternatives among others in A: Severini (if recovered), Toté, Visconti, Woldetensae. However, a very limited list of candidates.
