EA7 Milano guard Daniel Hackett has been banned from domestic competition for six months for leaving the Italian national team camp without permission.
Hackett has 24 hours to appeal the decision otherwise the ban will commence on October 12.
The ban will mean that Hackett will not be able to compete in the domestic Serie A league, nor will he be able to play for the national side. He will not be allowed to play in any other European league, should Hackett choose to move away from Italy.
The 26-year-old can however play in the Euroleague and Eurocup as the ban does not affect Euroleague Basketball’s bylaws.
The influential guard came to EA7 Milano in December of last year from Montepaschi Siena and despite a slow start to his career in the fashion capital; Hackett gradually improved and averaged 9.7 points a game, complimenting leading scorer Keith Langford’s offensive game.
Hackett, along with Langford helped EA7 Milano to their first domestic league crown in over 18 years as they defeated Montepaschi Siena in the Serie A Playoff Final.
Langford, who just recently joined Unics Kazan has expressed his thoughts on Hackett’s ban via his Twitter account. Simply tweeting: “Free DH.”
The current Euroleague scoring champion then sent a series of tweets, defending his former team-mate.
“Players continue to suffer due to the extreme demands of these seasons. Reducing the season by a month would make a world of difference!
“Euro B-ball seasons are too long to mandate National Team play. Injured or not. USA hoops structure is the best b/c players have a choice.
“That being said, the suspension of DH or any other player who doesn’t want to play is ridiculous. Wether they’re allowed to play EL or not”
–keith langford (@keith_langford) 24 July
