Timberwolves Guard Hopes to Represent Italy in EuroBasket

With EuroBasket 2025 set to begin in August this summer, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo appears to be heading overseas to participate in the famed international showcase. If it plays out, it would be DiVincenzo‘s first crack at donning Italia threads, and the interest doesn’t just come from the 7-year NBA veteran, but members from Italy’s side are also pulling for a future partnership.

Timberwolves Guard Hopes to Represent Italy Overseas

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Guard Donte DiVincenzo Expected to Play in EuroBasket this Summer

If it works out that DiVincenzo does lace up for Italy this summer, it will be a first for the NBA champion and his first opportunity to play at the international basketball level of any kind. Both parties have expressed excitement over the potential partnership; however, as with most things in life, paperwork has a way of muddling the process. In DiVincenzo’s case, his passport is the main holdup at this time. In speaking with Simone Sandri of La Gazzetta dello Sport, DiVincenzo explained the passport situation, his determination and motivation to join Italy in August, and meeting with the team’s head coach and other members representing the Italian team.

“The timing depends on bureaucratic documents. But my intention is to wear the Azzurri jersey. My father and my agent are handling the passport, while I’m focusing on this final stretch of the regular season.”

When asked by Sandri about his chances in playing for Italy this summer, DiVincenzo answered: “I’d say so. We’re all on the same page. Now, we just have to wait for the documents to arrive…It would be amazing for me to represent Italy.”

Donte’s Family Ties Lead to Representing Italy

Many NBA players choose to represent nations of their heritage or family lineage. Kyrie Irving is progressing to play for Team Australia in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Kyle Kuzma is unlikely to earn a spot with Team USA. Still, he’s open to playing elsewhere, such as the Philippines, as is Jordan Clarkson, who has ties to the Pearl of the Orient, being Filipino-American. Clarkson holds dual citizenship with the United States and the Philippines.

Although born in Newark, Delaware, DiVincenzo has strong family ties with Italy, and his fiancé is of Italian descent. DiVincenzo is putting together a solid and successful NBA career with many years to go. Still, a chance to represent the nation his family’s history belongs to is another incredible feat and honor in its own right. For the sake of DiVincenzo and his family, let’s hope a passport doesn’t get in the way of him heading to Europe over the summer. In the meantime, his Timberwolves squad is fighting for playoff positioning and the hopes of another deep playoff run. DiVincenzo is in his first season in Minnesota.