ITA - Gentile: “World Cup is a dream for every kid”

TRIESTE (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) – Danilo Gallinari is out for a knee surgery, Daniel Hackett was stopped by Achilles' tendon problems, Andrea Bargnani is in jeopardy for EuroBasket (because of a form of pneumonia), but Italy looks able to build around its perimeter players.

And beside, Italy has two NBA players like Marco Belinelli (San Antonio) and rookie Luigi Datome (Detroit Pistons), but also former Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers Travis Diener and guards Andrea Cinciarini and Pietro Aradori (all coming off their best season in career). Also, coach Simone Pianigiani found some excellent news from 20-year old Alessandro Gentile.

Emporio Armani Milano small forward is going to be one of the most interesting youngsters at EuroBasket, where the six best-classified teams (excluding Spain, already qualified) will qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"It's my first time with the senior national team, and I found a very positive atmosphere and unselfish players. A lot of people is talking about our absents, and we hope Andrea Bargnani will be with us in Slovenia. But we don't want to look for excuses" said Gentile, who is going to play this week-end the Antwerp tournament with against Belgium, Israel and Poland.

"I think our team can be competitive anyway, we are ready to face important opponents from day 1" said Gentile, thinking about Group D, where Italy will have to face Russia, Turkey, Greece, Sweden and Finland.

"We know a lot of teams will be very competitive, starting from Spain and France, but also Turkey, Greece, Russia, Lithuania. But I think we are working very well, too".

Gentile starred at the Trentino Cup, where Italy won all three games against Georgia, Israel and Poland, and he was Italy's top scorer in both games. "Our system is based on defensive effort and ball circulation, this way any player can be the top scorer".

"It's very important, because when you play five games in a week, the opponents are going to adjust. And a single player can't be the main offensive reference any given day".

Despite his young age, Gentile built some important experience, also with national teams, as two years ago he led Italy to a silver medal at the 2011 U20 European Championship in Bilbao, and he was included into the all-tournament team.

And basketball has got no secrets in his family: Alessandro is going to inherit Olimpia Milano's number 5 jersey, the same number worn by his father Ferdinando when Milano won its last Italian title in 1996. And also Alessandro's older brother, Stefano, should join the national team soon, after the experience with the B national team at the Mediterranean Games.

But with Italy, Alessandro is going to play with his youth idol, Marco Belinelli: "I have always been Marco's fan. His skills are incredible, every day I try to study his play, especially some post-up situations".

While admiring Belinelli, as a kid Gentile dream was to achieve big goals with Italy. And EuroBasket will provide him the first chance.

"Every kid dreams an European podium and a medal. And every kid dreams a FIBA BAsketball World Cup qualification, with the chance to play against the best players in the world" he said.

"It's early to talk about targets. We know our road will be tough, and there is only one way to run: we will need to take one game at a time, getting ready for any given day".

FIBA