BOSTON (USA) - When it comes to Italian hoops, Danilo Gallinari is as famous as they come.
He represented Italy for many years, including for the last time at FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
From 2008 to 2024, he played in the NBA, where he was teammates with some true greats, like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (both Denver) and Shai Gilgeous Alexander (when both were Los Angeles Clippers).
Gallinari joined former Boston Celtics teammate and USA star Derrick White on the White Noise Podcast.
While answering a myriad of questions and revealing things like he loves to play squash, Gallinari also had a hard question.
White asked Gallinari: "If you could build a starting five of players from Italy, who would be on it?"
"That's tough," Gallinari said. "I have a lot of former teammates and friends...you don't even know some of the guys that I would put in the starting five... I wouldn't put myself in the starting five. I give my spot to my friends.
"But I would probably go with the Italian guys that played in the NBA, other than the point guard."
1 - Giuseppe Poeta, Point Guard
"I would put Beppe Poeta, who is now the coach of the team in Milan (EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)," Gallinari said.
"And he was my teammate with the national team for 10 plus years. He's the only guy that I would put in that didn't play in the NBA."
Giuseppe Poeta represented Italy at the EuroBaskets in 2009, 2011 and 2013, and also played at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016 in Turin, when Italy fell in the Final to Croatia and narrowly missed out on the Rio de Janeiro Games.
2 - Marco Belinelli, Shooting Guard
"I would say Marco Belinelli at the 2," Gallo said.
Remember when Belinelli poured in 17 of his game-high 27 points in the third quarter to lead Italy past Spain at EuroBasket 2015 in Munich?
His legendary career with Italy never saw him reach the podium yet he took center stage at numerous events, from the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Japan to the 2019 World Cup in China. Belinelli had some unforgettable displays at the FIBA EuroBaskets, including 2009 and 2015, and at the 2016 FIBA OQT in Turin.
He did make history as the only Italian ever to capture the NBA title, doing so with some stunning displays for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. He played in the NBA from 2007 to 2020.
3 - Luigi Datome, Small Forward
"I would say Gigi Datome at the 3," Gallinari said.
Luigi "Gigi" Datome represented Italy for two decades, including the youth teams. He reached the podium of the U20 European Championship in 2007 and was named to the All-Star Five. That same year, Datome made his senior team bow, at the EuroBasket in Spain. He wrapped up long national team career at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila.
Datome could score from anywhere, including at the rim. His athleticism allowed Datome to deflect passes and block shots.
As a pro, he more than held his own in the NBA with Detroit and Boston from 2013 to 2015. With Fenerbahce in Türkiye, he captured a European title, three domestic league titles and three Turkish Cups, and he claimed three Italian titles and two Italian Cups.
4 - Nicolo Melli, Power Forward
"Nicolo Melli at the 4," Gallinari said.
Melli is an combination of grit, athleticism, strength and skill. He was a contributor in the Italy team that won the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade in 2021 to help the Azzurri reach the Summer Games for the first time since 2004. Melli has played for the senior team since EuroBasket 2013, which was two years after he reached the U20 European Championship. He continues to represent his country.
As a pro, after establishing himself as a leading player in Europe, particularly with Bamberg and then Fenerbahce, Melli signed for the New Orleans Pelicans and also had a spell with the Dallas Mavericks before returning to the old continent.
5 - Andrea Bargnani, Center
"Bargnani at the 5," Gallinari said.
Andrea Bargnani didn't scale the heights with Italy yet he caused a huge stir in European basketball when selected with the first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. He also played for the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets before returning to Europe and playing his last NBA season (2016-17) with Baskonia in Spain.
With Italy, Bargnani made a big splash at EuroBasket 2007 in Spain, averaging 12.7 points per game. At EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania, the 2.12m (6ft 11in) center averaged 22.8 points per game. He scored 36 against Latvia in the Italians' only victory at the event. His best tournament with Italy was EuroBasket 2015, when the team edged Georgia in a Round of 16 thriller but fell in a hard fought Quarter-Final to Lithuania. Gallinari led a balanced attack in that team at 17.9 points per game while Bargnani averaged 14.8 points per contest. In five of his eight games, Bargnani scored 17 points or more.
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