Brian WindhorstESPN Senior Writer Jun 24 2023 1:44pm ET2 minutes read
Team USA won a recruitment battle this week and secured the signing of current NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero to compete in this summer’s FIBA World Championship, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Orlando Magic star had previously verbally agreed to play for Italy.
Once a player has selected a national team to play for, he cannot transfer. This increases the stakes for this decision, especially at a time of more intense competition on the world basketball stage, which is likely to be revealed at August’s World Championships in Manila, Philippines.
For example, one of the biggest dramas in international basketball is set to play out in the coming months as current Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid mulls over whether to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Both the US and France — Embiid holds citizenship of both countries and hasn’t made up his mind yet — have been quietly scrambling to get him for the Olympics. Embiid is not taking part in the World Cup this summer as he is getting married in July.
Team USA coach Steve Kerr, general manager Grant Hill and general manager Sean Ford were able to finalize the deal with the 20-year-old Banchero after months of work. The Italian Basketball Federation had been recruiting Banchero since he was 16 and helped him get a pass in 2020 that paved his way into the team.
Banchero’s father is of Italian descent, and when Team USA didn’t pay much attention to him in his teenage years, Banchero said in interviews that he was ready to play for Team Italy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented this and left the path open for him to play for Team USA.
It didn’t hurt that Banchero played strong in his rookie year ahead of Kerr, who twice led Magic to victories over Kerr’s Golden State Warriors, averaging 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 assists in the two games.
Banchero’s mother, Rhonda Smith-Banchero, was involved in US basketball while she was playing — she was a star at the University of Washington — and that played a part in his decision, according to sources.
At 1.80m tall and with point guard skills, Banchero is ideally suited to the international game where size on the touchline is very useful. He’s not an outstanding 3-pointer, which is less damaging with the shorter 3-pointer line, but Italy are potential opponents in the World Cup Quarterfinals and the Americans would much rather have Banchero on their side in that potential meet.
Size is clearly the focus of the roster, which is expected to include current Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., All-Rookie selector Walker Kessler and veteran Big Man Bobby Portis. Forwards Brandon Ingram, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson are expected to join guards Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson and Austin Reaves.
The Athletic first reported on Banchero’s signing.