ITA - Belinelli focus on Italy, not NBA

BOLOGNA (Lega A) - Climamio Bologna guard Marco Belinelli is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite declaring himself available for the NBA draft.

"I am not thinking about the NBA right now, it's the last thing on my mind," said the 21-year-old Belinelli.

"And I will not think about it until the end of the season.

"I had to respect the deadline set for the end of April to declare myself available for the draft.

"I will only decide at the last minute if I feel ready to go through with it or postpone it until next year."

Belinelli has averaged 17.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Italian club this season.

However, his performances have not been sufficient to help the struggling Bologna side mount a challenge for a place in the play-offs.

Bologna slipped to an 81-66 home defeat to Benetton Treviso on Wednesday, a result that leaves them 12th in Lega A with three games remaining in the regular season.

Belinelli, who is expected to play for Italy at this summer's EuroBasket, was even booed by a section of the Bologna fans after their latest loss.

"I am not angry with the fans," Belinelli said.

"I understand their frustration and their anger."

The number one pick in last year's draft was an Italian Andrea Bargnani.

He decided to leave after helping Benetton Treviso capture the Lega A title and has been a key player in the success of the Toronto Raptors, the team that selected him.

The NBA draft will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 28.

Cindy Garcia-Bennett, Rome
FIBA