Saturday, July 15, 2006

Italy to Compete without Bargnani in World Basketball Championship in Japan

The Annotico Report

Andrea Bargnani, the seven-footer, #1 selection in last month's NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, will not play for Italy at the FIBA World Basketball Championship Tournament in Japan, set to take place on August 19 through September 3.

Bargnani's absence is Not a big blow, since Italy planned to rest many of their senior players this summer, including Massimo Bulleri, captain Giacomo Galanda and Roberto Chiacig. Further, the Italians, had needed a wild card to play in Japan, and  were not considered  a threat.

Bargnani's move to Toronto requires him and his agent to complete necessary paperwork for his trip to Canada.  He is also undergoing preparations to help him adapt to a new league and country, which includes taking English lessons.

BARGNANI WON'T PLAY FOR ITALY IN JAPAN

TSN, Canada

Sports Ticker

July 14, 2006

ROME (Ticker) - The Toronto Raptors' gain has turned out to be Italy's loss.

The Italian Basketball Federation on Friday announced that Andrea Bargnani will not play for Italy at the FIBA World Championship in Japan.  The tournament is set to take place on August 19 through September 3.

The seven-footer, who was the number one selection in last month's NBA draft by the Raptors, has yet to make his debut with the senior national team but coach Carlo Recalcati had hoped to have Bargnani in Japan.

Bargnani is in the United States playing with the Raptors' Las Vegas Summer League team.  Bargnani helped Benetton Treviso win the Italian title and was one week later chosen by Toronto with the top pick.

Bargnani joined Yao Ming (2002) as the only pure international players to be taken with the top pick and he agreed to a contract with the Raptors on July 1.

Under the NBA's rookie scale, Bargnani will make $7.78 million in the first two years of the deal that runs through 2007-08. The Raptors hold club options for the next two years of the contract.

Recalcati had expressed doubts about Bargnani's availability due to his NBA commitments, but still hoped the player could travel to the Far East for his debut with the Azzurri.

"The FIP sadly has had to take into consideration the multiple demands that have seen Andrea Bargnani taking center stage and therefore his preparation is incompatible at this point with the program of the national team," the Italian Basketball Federation said in a statement.

The Italians, who needed a wild card to play in Japan, announced they would rest many of their senior players this summer, including Massimo Bulleri, captain Giacomo Galanda and Roberto Chiacig.

Bargnani's move to Toronto requires him and his agent to complete necessary paperwork for his trip to Canada.  He is also undergoing preparations to help him adapt to a new league and country, which includes taking English lessons.

While the Italian Basketball Federation has decided to hold off on using Bargnani this summer, it has already targeted dates to use the 20-year-old in the future.

"The FIP has decided to allow Andrea Bargnani to free himself from any duties with the national team this summer with the profound conviction that Andrea will be motivated to face adventures with the Azzurri shirt in the years to come," The federation said. "The FIP considers Bargnani a big part of Italian basketball and wishes him with all our heart the best success in the NBA with the certainty that the experience on the other side of the ocean will help him mature and be useful for the national team for the European Championship in 2007, which is crucial for the qualification for the Beijing Games in 2008."

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