ROME (Italy) - 10 years ago, Danilo Gallinari was living the time of his basketball life.
Already an established NBA player following several years between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets, he had a brilliant summer with Italy at FIBA EuroBasket 2015.
Concluding that campaign at 17.9 points per game, he dropped a combined 54 points in back-to-back iconic victories against Spain and Germany - against legends he looked up to, Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki.
10 years later, Danilo Gallinari is still there for Italy. Once again at FIBA EuroBasket.
However, as he has recently stated in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, this will be his last summer repping the Azzurri jersey.
This will be my last summer with the Italian national team: knowing that gives me an extra boost.
"I've been part of so many different groups. At first, I was the youngest, playing alongside my idols," the 37-year-old forward says.
"Now I'm the veteran, and I see these young guys who have built a special group - they’re strong and talented. They keep you young."
Indeed, Danilo Gallinari has seen it all on the international stage playing for Italy.
At first, he appeared at FIBA EuroBasket 2011 as the next big thing for Italian basketball, averaging 15.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game under head coach Simone Pianigiani, the first glimpses of a 23-year-old phenomenon.
Over the course of his career, he took pride in representing his country at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
His national team career has had countless memories, but lacks one significant accolade: stepping on the podium.
"What's missing is a medal with the national team, and then I could be happy," Gallinari says.
At the same time, he was forced to miss many summers with Italy, mainly due to long-term injuries.
"It's also hard to measure what could have been but wasn't," he recalls.
"I started with the Azzurri when I was 17-18, back when the group from the 2004 Olympics was still there, and out of all the possible summers since then, I missed eight. That's a lot."
"I can't help but think about what could have happened if I had played those eight too, but it's better not to dwell on it. Every summer, anything can happen, even this one," Gallo affirms.
Returning home, Danilo Gallinari dreams of putting a bronze, silver, or gold cherry on top of the cake.
After all, he has already started this summer in the right way, winning his first-ever professional championship in Puerto Rico with the Vaqueros de Bayamon. As Finals MVP.
In a matter of hours, he will join Gianmarco Pozzecco's group to add the necessary dose of experience to a squad full of young faces.
The next generation of Italian basketball, featuring Gabriele Procida, Momo Diouf, Matteo Spagnolo, and Saliou Niang among others, is already here.
That's why Danilo Gallinari's ready and conscious to deliver in his last dance with Italy.
"We talked about everything [with Pozzecco]. I don't want to put pressure on the guys, but honestly, I see a strong team that can do well. I expect a lot from this group," Gallinari states.
"I'm excited, also because it will be my last time with the national team, which adds a bit of emotion."
FIBA