FIBA Basketball
ITA - Bargnani concerns for Recalcati
ROME (FIBA World Championship) - Italy coach Carlo Recalcati admits there are big doubts about Andrea Bargnani playing a role in this year's FIBA World Championship. The seven-footer, who was the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, is currently playing in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Raptors. "Let's say that I'm not 100% optimistic," Recalcati said. "The 26th (July) is the last realistic day for him to join us
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ROME (FIBA World Championship) - Italy coach Carlo Recalcati admits there are big doubts about Andrea Bargnani playing a role in this year's FIBA World Championship.
The seven-footer, who was the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, is currently playing in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Raptors.
"Let's say that I'm not 100% optimistic," Recalcati said. "The 26th (July) is the last realistic day for him to join us.
"I only say it for him. He's not a (Gianluca) Basile, who knows the team-mates, the staff and our play and can easily adapt.
"Bargnani is a debutant and needs time to integrate into the national team.
"Either he decides to come, or not.
"Whatever his decision is will not change our view on him. Andrea represents the future of Italy for the next 10 years and we have to remember this."
Bargnani, who helped Benetton Treviso win this year's Italian title, is expected to make his decision on July 15 at the conclusion of the summer league.
If Bargnani does play in Japan, he will go up against some of his future opponents as Italy are in Group D with Team USA - a side that consists of NBA
players.
Also in the group are Slovenia, Senegal and China.
In his first three Vegas Summer League games, Bargnani averaged 14 points and 2.7 rebounds.
From Cindy Garcia-Bennett
PA Sport, Rome
ROME (FIBA World Championship) - Italy coach Carlo Recalcati admits there are big doubts about Andrea Bargnani playing a role in this year's FIBA World Championship.
The seven-footer, who was the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, is currently playing in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Raptors.
"Let's say that I'm not 100% optimistic," Recalcati said. "The 26th (July) is the last realistic day for him to join us.
"I only say it for him. He's not a (Gianluca) Basile, who knows the team-mates, the staff and our play and can easily adapt.
"Bargnani is a debutant and needs time to integrate into the national team.
"Either he decides to come, or not.
"Whatever his decision is will not change our view on him. Andrea represents the future of Italy for the next 10 years and we have to remember this."
Bargnani, who helped Benetton Treviso win this year's Italian title, is expected to make his decision on July 15 at the conclusion of the summer league.
If Bargnani does play in Japan, he will go up against some of his future opponents as Italy are in Group D with Team USA - a side that consists of NBA
players.
Also in the group are Slovenia, Senegal and China.
In his first three Vegas Summer League games, Bargnani averaged 14 points and 2.7 rebounds.
From Cindy Garcia-Bennett
PA Sport, Rome