ROME (Italy) - Italy's chances at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 just got a bit better as veteran leader Marco Belinelli confirmed he will be on board for the Squadra Azzurra at China 2019.

The 33-year-old Belinelli told the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport that he plans on playing for Meo Sacchetti's team in China, where the Italians were drawn in Group D with Angola, Philippines and Serbia in Foshan. 

"I spoke with Gianni Petrucci (the President of the Italian Basketball Federation) after we qualified and with coach Sacchetti a few days ago. I talk very often with my teammates. We are all happy. The bar is high now. Our dream is to make something important with Italy’s national team jersey. I confirm that I will be in China," Belinelli told Dario Ronzulli of Tuttosport.

The San Antonio Spurs swingman starred for Italy at the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 but he did not play in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

Belinelli would be the only player on the team that played for Italy in their last FIBA World Cup appearance in 2006, when the then 20-year-old Belinelli averaged 13.5 points, 1.7 assists and 1.5 rebounds. 

FIBA