Gallinari backs out
Another big name gets crossed off the list of stars to be playing international basketball this summer, as Danilo Gallinari stated yesterday he wouldn’t be suiting up for Team Italy in 2011 Eurobasket qualifiers after all.
Despite some high-profile meetings during this season with Dino Meneghin and other luminaries of the Italian national team, Gallinari stated that health concerns and the obligatory contract-year concerns will keep him away from playing with the Azzurri.
Stated Gallinari in part: “My physical problems started last summer when I underwent a back operation. I have not had the possibility to work on my body to improve. I have had the chance to play a whole season in the NBA, [but] it has been a difficult one and intense, especially from a physical standpoint…
“Before I left New York, I met with the team doctors and athletic staff of the Knicks to discuss my possible participation in the European qualifying campaign and they didn’t recommend it, indicating rather a summer work of power, crucial and necessary for my back.
“For these reasons, I have had to renounce to the qualifying campaign of the national team in August.”
Luckily for Italy, its two other headliners in Marco Belinelli and Andrea Bargnani have committed to the squad’s efforts. Team Italia is faced with rather an unusually low position after its early exit from Eurobasket 2009 and is looking to qualify for the 2011 Continental tournament against the likes of Finland, Israel, Latvia and Montenegro.
Meanwhile, two other moves have been announced for FIBA World Championship contenders France: Rony Turiaf will not play for Les Bleus, while Nicolas Batum has been confirmed by the Portland Trail Blazers as available to play.
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