UDINE (Italy) - Italy have not played at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup since 2014. Davide Casarin will do everything he can to change that as the FIBA U16 European Championship 2019 at home will be the culmination of a season full of highlights for the playmaker.

Casarin will be one of the Italy's leaders in Udine, where the home side will hope to get back to world stage at the U17 level after missing out on the last two tournaments.

"A national team like Italy must be ambitious. We need to play as well as we can because we want to give some satisfaction to our fans," Casarin said.

The Italians' only U16 European crown came in 1991 and they haven't reached the top four since 2013 with Davide Moretti on board.  

David Moretti playing for Italy at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2013

"We will try to do our best to change this trend. By playing in Italy we do have an additional boost," said Casarin, who with Italy will be facing Russia, Germany and Croatia in Group A in Udine.

The 6ft 5in (1.96m) point guard will actually be playing his second national team tournament this summer. He played two years up at the recently-completed FIBA U18 European Championship 2019 in Volos, Greece and averaged 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals in four games.

"It's an honor to wear the Italian jersey and listen to our anthem is special. Moreover, I'm happy to play near to home so my family can come and watch me," he said.

Casarin's family knows a thing or two about basketball. Davide's father is Federico Casarin, who played many years as did brother Andrea Casarin.

"I started playing at four years old with (Umana) Reyer (Venezia) mini-basketball following my father and brother's passion," Davide Casarin said.

Federico Casarin is also the president of Umana Reyer.

"The relationship between me and my father is great. I confide in him when we are at home. He trusts me, suggests me things and pushes me to be better and enjoy the game everyday," Casarin said.

Growing up, Casarin looked outside the family for a role model - but staying in Italy with national team playmaker Daniel Hackett.

"I have watched him since he was in Italy: Pesaro, Siena and Milano and then Olympiacos and CSKA. I always liked his leadership on the court," Casarin said of Hackett.

Daniel Hackett playing for Italy

The 2018-19 season has seen one highlight after another for Casarin: from the U15 national tournament in Troyes to the Italian U16 and U18 finals, the Italian Next Gen Cup, the Adidas Next Generation Tournament and the Adidas U16 All-Star Game.

On May 12, Reyer head coach Walter De Raffaele sent Casarin into the Serie A game against Brescia. He played three minutes and even made a basket for his first points during his Serie A debut in front of the home fans.

"Being selected by coach De Raffaele was fantastic. I want to thank him again," Casarin said. "I was excited just to be on the scoreboard before to getting on the court. Then I tried my best to use my chance; thanks to my teammates who helped me."

Casarin also played in two Play-Off games against Trento - all before turning 16 years on May 22.

"All these competitions were important steps, leaving me with something concrete. It was an important journey which helped me to get better, as well as practicing with Reyer first men's team. I will remember all of these experiences looking forward. I want to keep growing and work hard," Casarin said.

And it might just be Italy who pays who as well from that hard work with a spot at next summer's FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.

FIBA