Quote:Italian Olympian Luca Garri will attempt to make his country's national team for this summer's EuroBasket 2009 qualifying games after being named in a 12-strong squad for friendlies later this month against Algeria, Croatia and Iran.
Garri, 26, a silver-medal winner with Italy at the Athens Games four years ago, was the last man cut by Azzurri coach Carlo Recalcati before last summer's EuroBasket in Spain.
The 2.07m center played in 30 of Virtus Bologna's 34 games in Lega A this season and averaged six points and four rebounds in just over 15 minutes per contest.
Recalcati expects to add four more players - not including NBA duo Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli - to this list.
Garri and the other players will gather from May 18-25 in Roseto degli Abbruzzi, and then take on Iran on May 26 and 27 before going up against Algeria, Croatia and Iran again in an international tournament in Roseto degli Abbruzzi from May 28-31.
Italy's more established players will link up with the squad later this summer when Recalcati's team steps up its preparations for EuroBasket Division A games against Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Finland.
Italy squad for May friendlies: Michele Antonutti (202 cm., F, Snaidero Udine), Giorgio Boscagin (196, G/F, Cimberio Varese, Bruno Cerella (194, G/F, Mach 20 Potenza), Daniele Cinciarini (194, G, Angelico Biella), Luigi Da Tome (202, F, Legea Scafati), Tommaso Fantoni (203, F/C, Td Shop.It Livorno), Robert Fultz (188, PG Scavolini Spar Pesaro), Luca Garri, (207, C, La Fortezza Bologna), Marco Passera (181, PG, Cimberio Varese), Giuseppe Poeta (190, G, Siviglia Wear Teramo), Roberto Rullo (192, G, Aget Service Imola, Joel Zacchetti (208, F/C, Snaidero Udine).
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Quote:Andrea Bargnani may play for Italy in their EuroBasket 2009 qualifying games after all.
National team boss Carlo Recalcati, who will lead the Azzurri against Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland in Division A games later this year, was preparing to move forward without the Toronto star because of his heavy training commitments with the Raptors.
But Italian Basketball Federation president Fausto Maifredi has received positive information on the 22-year-old's availability.
"In the case of Bargnani, there is something new," Maifredi said.
"Toronto have communicated to us that the player is available for the national team and consequently, he will evaluate the summer workout programs."
The 2.11m Bargnani made his senior team debut last summer at the EuroBasket in Madrid and helped the Azzurri reach the quarter-final qualifying round by averaging 12.7 points and five rebounds per contest.
Italy are uncertain if Marco Belinelli, a rookie this season with the Golden State Warriors and also a member of last year's team, will be able to play.
Belinelli was also important to Italy last year, pouring in 15.5 points per game.
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Good news no doubt for Italy and also considering the known cases with Garbajosa, Ilgauskas and others. Wishful thinking, but perhaps this could mark a turning point...
Quote:Italy coach Carlo Recalcati has given a ringing endorsement to 2004 Olympian Luca Garri following his performances for an experimental Azzurri side the past two weeks.
Garri was the last cut from last year's squad in Spain but appears to have a great chance of making this summer's team for Italy's EuroBasket 2009 qualifying games against Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Finland.
Speaking after Italy's 98-90 friendly defeat to the Czech Republic in Bassano on Wednesday night following a 22-point performance from Garri, Recalcati said: "We have played seven games in nine days and I have to say I have seen good things from my players.
"I cannot be fully happy in terms of results. I have seen Luca Garri, captain of this national team, regain his confidence and personality on the court and that is a good thing."
Italy will play on Friday against Ukraine in Verona looking to bounce back from their back-to-back setbacks against the Czech Republic.
Ukraine will play France, Belgium and Turkey in EuroBasket 2009 qualifying games.
Recalcati said: "Ukraine is probably a competitive team but right now, our aim is to focus on ourselves."
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GIBA, the syndicate of Italian basketball players set a strike to all activities of senior Italian NT starting on 18th July. The reason is simple: the difference between foreign and national players in Lega. Unless the situation changes and an agreement is reached, the NT will go on strike.
Quote:Carlo Recalcati has confirmed that Andrea Bargnani will not play this summer for Italy "due to his commitments with the Toronto Raptors".
Bargnani made his first senior-team bow last year at the EuroBasket in Spain but the Azzurri failed to reach the quarter-finals and now have to go through qualifying for EuroBasket 2009 in a very difficult group that includes Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Finland.
Unfortunately for basketball fans in Italy, the Raptors take priority for Bargnani, depriving the country of its biggest basketball star.
"Andrea Bargnani will not be available due to his commitments with Toronto Raptors," Recalcati said in a statement issued by the Italian Basketball Federation.
"Marco Belinelli will be included in the 24-player list. Marco has a programme of two summer leagues with the Golden State Warriors. I have reached an agreement with Golden State that if they were satisfied with his first (summer league) then his position may be reconsidered."
Recalcati is still hopeful that the country's other promising star, Danilo Gallinari, will not have his hopes of joining up with Italy dashed by the forthcoming NBA draft.
Gallinari, who is coming off his second full season with Armani Jeans Milano, is projected to be a first-round pick.
"Danilo Gallinari has given his full availability but we will have to wait and see which franchise chooses him on June 26 in the NBA draft," Recalcati said.
The Italians are even having to clear hurdles at the collegiate level in America with University of South California coach Tim Floyd apparently unwilling to let point guard Daniel Hackett play for the Azzurri.
Recalcati visited USC earlier this year, but has revealed: "The problem with Daniel Hackett is that his coach Tim Floyd doesn't understand our system of qualifying and doesn't allow him to be available. We are working on changing his mind."
And it's not just roadblocks Recalcati is facing in America that is cause for frustration.
In Italy, there is a threat of a players' strike. Players, in a worst-case scenario, could boycott the national team unless tighter restrictions are placed on the number of foreigners allowed to play in Italy's leagues.
"I am aware of the danger of the (players) strike but I will never say who doesn't join the national team for issues other than physical or technical," Recalcati said.
"I just hope that the players and the institutions speak and find a solution so that by July 18, we are able not only to meet but to train."
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Quote:Italy guard Luca Vitali could miss the rest of the Azzurri's EuroBasket 2009 qualifying campaign with a hand injury.
According to a statement issued by the Italian Basketball Federation, the player has broken a bone in his right hand and has left the team to join up with his club side, Varese.
Italy, with just one victory in four EuroBasket Division A games, face a must-win game this weekend when they travel to Serbia (3-1) in Group A.
Only the group winners, and the three best second-place teams from the four qualifying groups will earn automatic places at EuroBasket 2009 in Poland.
The Azzurri also have games remaining against Finland, Hungary and Bulgaria.
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Everything going well for Recalcati <!-- s
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The president of the federation resigned, how could this affect Recalcati's future?
Quote:Meneghin Pleads With NBA Trio To Play For Italy
Italy basketball legend Dino Meneghin has made an emotional appeal to Andrea Bargnani, Marco Belinelli and Danilo Gallinari to play for the Azzurri in next year's Additional Qualifying Round for the EuroBasket.
Injury prevented New York Knicks rookie Gallinari from taking part this summer while NBA commitments with Toronto and Golden State, respectively, for Bargnani and Belinelli stopped each from joining.
Without their three rising stars, Italy managed to win just four of their eight qualifying games in Group A and that was only good enough for a third-place finish behind Serbia and Bulgaria.
Meneghin, who was this week appointed Italian Basketball Federation commissioner in the wake of Fausto Maifredi's unexpected resignation as president, told Legabasket.it: "Weôve had a huge problem this summer with qualification. We missed a lot our three NBA players while we had other injured players.
"My hope, my certainty that I can offer at this time, is that the players across the Atlantic understand the dramatic moment of our national team that really needs to take part in the EuroBasket 2009.
"Their presence is crucial and necessary. In this case I make their appeal to their team spirit and their love of the national team, many times said and read on the newspapers but that now needs to be shown on the court.
"Once called, they must respond to the call-up of the national team, of coach (Carlo) Recalcati, things that have been done by all the great players of the NBA.
"They should be with us so that the national team, which belongs to everyone, can go to the EuroBasket and regain the prestigious place where it belongs."
Italy will take on France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Finland and Portugal in the Additional Qualifying Round with just one place for the EuroBasket up for grabs.
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Quote:Thumbs-up For Italy Coaches Recalcati, Ticchi
Carlo Recalcati and Giampiero Ticchi are to remain in charge of the men's and women's national teams of Italy, respectively.
The FIP said in a statement that both men had been nominated to continue as coaches by Italy Basketball commissioner Dino Meneghin.
Italy basketball great Meneghin recently took temporary charge of the FIP following the resignation of president Fausto Maifredi and has been a long-time supporter of Recalcati.
He recently told legabasket.it: "He (Recalcati) is a person that I admire, a great man that knows the system from A to Z. For me, he is indispensable and I hope that he will be alongside me in these months."
Recalcati led Italy to bronze at EuroBasket 2003 and silver at the Athens Olympics and has been at the helm of the Azzurri ever since. The team did not meet their aim this summer of reaching next year's EuroBasket in Poland, but it will take part in the Additional Qualifying Round against France, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Finland.
The six teams will battle for one spot that is still available for next year's Final Round.
Ticchi took charge of the Azzurre before this summer's EuroBasket Women 2009 qualifying campaign.
He will guide them in January's Additional Qualifying Round for the EuroBasket Women.
The Italians will battle Ukraine, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia and Germany for two places that are still up for grabs for the Final Round that is to be staged in Riga, Latvia.
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Quote:European Round-Up: Meneghin To Stand For President
Dino Meneghin has moved closer to becoming president of the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP) after receiving the backing of the presidents of the regional committee of the FIP.
The Italy basketball legend has been serving as commissioner of the FIP since September after Fausto Maifredi stepped down as president.
The presidents of the regional committee met in Milan at the weekend and officially asked Meneghin to stand for president when the election is held on February 7 and Meneghin agreed to do so.
"I have accepted to stand for several reasons," Meneghin said in a statement by the FIP.
"I have found a lot of good faith in my project as well as a common wish to achieve it. We have spoken a lot about schools, and youth teams and that is a good first step to work together in time.
"I have met people that work on a day-to-day basis on the court, that give their best for a common goal.
"With the presidents of the regional committee, we agree on an issue that basketball is to be improved, not rescued.
"We must work to improve it, to attract the biggest number of youngsters, to offer them to the clubs and then to the national team. With all due respect to clubs, the national team is the most important club in Italy."
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Quote:ITA ââ¬â Meneghin ready for huge challenge as Italyââ¬â¢s new basketball supremo
ROMA (FIP) - No player stood taller in Italian hoops for nearly three decades than the countryââ¬â¢s newly elected basketball federation (FIP) president Dino Meneghin.
A towering 2.06m, Meneghin was the ultimate leader whose mere presence inspired teammates and captured the imagination of Italy as he helped drive the national team to some of its finest moments.
Born in 1950, he made his debut for the Azzurri at 16 and went on to play 271 times for his country with his last appearance as a 44-year-old.
He thrived on challenges as a player, and now he faces a huge one off the court as the FIP supremo.
Meneghin, who had served commissioner of the FIP since September following the resignation of Fausto Maifredi as FIP president, gave this exclusive interview to FIBA.com.
FIBA: Dino, several months ago you said you didn't have the time required to be president of the Italian Basketball Federation. What made you change your mind?
Meneghin: People's insistence that I was the right man for the job. My will is to do something important for Italian basketball. I have always been a man of the court, before a coach or a general manager of clubs in Italy or the national team. I am 59 years old and I believe the time had come to put my experience, my knowledge and willingness to the service of the Italian basketball movement. Despite knowing that it will be a challenge with my other job (he runs an events and public relations company Sicom Eventi) I know that with sacrifice and will, I can do it. I will not be alone in the task of running the federation as I will have counselors that will be placed in the right positions, people who want to work hard and are competent. Once that happens, my job will be made easier.
FIBA: What is the state of Italian basketball right now and can we be optimistic?
Meneghin: I am an optimist by nature, especially when facing adversity. In difficult times you need to work hard and think positive. With regards to the national team, we have good players but we are not able to get the results at international level. Our immediate hope is to qualify for the EuroBasket this summer and from then on, understand our value. With regards to our clubs, we have good teams and players but yet again we are missing important results at international level. The will to get achievements is there from everyone but we know that we face important challenges from Spain, Greece, Russia, while other eastern (European) countries are finding the resources to be competitive at the maximum level. The task of our clubs is not easy when you are competing with strong clubs that have the revenue to sign top players. We have higher taxes from the state placed on our clubs, hence, when a player is given the same offer by two clubs, a player will choose to go to Spain or Russia rather than come to Italy because we pay more taxes. Considering the financial crisis that the world is facing, it makes it harder to find sponsors and that also makes the clubs' job harder. In terms of the youth system we have a lot of work to do. We need to be more involved with schools, find youngsters and talent to bring closer to basketball. It's a huge task that we all must focus on, not only the federation but also all the basketball clubs.
FIBA: You are a living legend in Italy. Does your name make the job easier?
Meneghin: I can put the face, even if it's an ugly one! But the will and the capacity is there. The fact is that we need to get more support from the media. Public television like RAI and Mediaset don't give us much contribution in terms of broadcasting news, games and results. This diminishes our sport, even if it's strong, because in the eyes of some, it seems as it doesn't exist.
FIBA: Italy's national team has struggled since 2004. What has been the reason for this and are you convinced that the national team can have a starring role in the near future?
Meneghin: My hope is that we will. We have great players but we have not gotten results sometimes due to injuries, other times we haven't played well and that has been the merit of our rivals. I am convinced of the strength of our basketball but we must show this on the court. I think we just need a good result to confirm the good work done by everyone. We are well aware that the competitiveness has notably increased, that our teams need to be extremely competitive and arrive to the top tournaments in the best form possible. We have a problem in that our tournament is very long but the fact that it is a hard one means that our players are very active. Sometimes they arrive in the summer rather tired and they are not able to give what they really could. I also believe we have been unlucky at crucial times in not having certain players available through injury and that is crucial.
FIBA: It is strange that powerful teams like France and Italy will have to face each other for the only remaining place in the EuroBasket. How difficult is the Additional Round going to be for Italy?
Meneghin: This is a Russian roulette, in the sense that we cannot afford to make a mistake. To see two historically strong teams, full of good players having to come up against each other for one spot is hard. But this goes to prove the high standard of basketball in Europe. There are no longer any easy games, they are all difficult. Therefore, you need all your players in good shape. For us, the Additional Qualifying Round against France will be extremely challenging and very difficult. I cannot deny that we are rather worried because in a few days you play for everything. It's a challenging calendar with road games, too, and fatigue will come into it. That is why the players will need the right mentality to understand how difficult our task will be and to be fully focused and in top physical form.
FIBA: Will Italy coach Carlo Recalcati remain in charge of the national team even if the Azzurri fail to qualify for the EuroBasket?
Meneghin: Charley Recalcati has a contract until September. After that, I will sit down with him and understand what his intentions are based on the results and whether his wish is to continue to guide the national team. If that is the case, we will renew his contract. Otherwise, we will go for someone else. But until then, he is not under discussion. He has all my trust and support.
FIBA: With the focus placed on the Additional Qualifying Round, you must be following Italy's American-based players closely. What can you tell us about the improvements made by NBA trio Andrea Bargnani, Marco Belinelli and Danilo Gallinari as well as University of Southern California point guard Daniel Hackett?
Meneghin: Marco has shown a lot of character. He proved that he wanted more playing minutes and when given the chance, he has shown what he can do in terms of defense, rebounds. He has grown in personality. As for Andrea, he still has ups and downs and needs to find continuity but in certain games he has proved important for his team. Danilo is still recovering from a back injury but in the games he has played he has shown potential. Our hope is that he improves his physical condition and gets better primarily for New York and then for the national team. As for Daniel Hackett, he is doing very well and he could be useful for us in the Additional Qualifying Round.
FIBA: Will we see Italy's NBA players in action at the Additional Qualifying Round and if successful, at the EuroBasket?
Meneghin: This is a question mark. I hope that the players and the clubs they play for will allow them to come and play with the national team just as they have done in the past. Other players like Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol have done this for their respective national teams. While being aware that their future in the NBA is important to them, I believe it's also crucial for them to play in the national team. If they did this, it would set a great example for the other players that play in Italy but especially, for the young players because it would inspire them as they look up to them. Regardless of the NBA or the Lega A, the most important team is the national team. That was the case for me, because it is the team of the whole of Italy. I can play and win with Milano 30 league titles and 20 Euroleagues and then the Milano fans will be happy. But if I win a medal at the Olympics, at a EuroBasket or a World Championship, I would make 50 million Italians happy and that is somewhat different.
FIBA: Dino, I know you followed Italy women's Additional Round with a lot of expectation. How proud are you of Giampiero Ticchi's women who last month qualified for this yearââ¬â¢s EuroBasket in Latvia?
Meneghin: I am delighted. They have shown great strength. I have followed the teams on the court and outside it and I have seen that they are a true team. They are a group of friends, who are united. I have been hit by their enthusiasm, their availability for the national team. This has been one of the reasons why this team has qualified for the EuroBasket after many years. The merit has been down to their strength and the work done by coach Giampiero Ticchi and his staff. This is a great result and I hope it can be a great example for the men's national team.
FIBA: Italy are among the countries short-listed to host the 2014 FIBA World Championship for men. What would it mean for Italian basketball and for the nation to host such a prestigious event?
Meneghin: It would be the result of a lot of work and sacrifice. To bring to Italy such an important event after many years would be a reward for those who work in basketball and who love the sport. We hosted the EuroBasket in 1991 and ever since then, we have not hosted anything. Italy needs and wants to see the best basketball in the world played here. We know very well that (the other two candidates) China and Spain are two important realities but we are hopeful.
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Quote:Recalcati Looks At Players In March Training Camp
Italy will face an enormous task this summer when they go up against France and Finland in the EuroBasket Additional Qualifying Round Group B.
There's no time like the present for Azzurri coach Carlo Recalcati to start preparing for both teams, which is why he is holding a training camp in Domegge di Cadore from March 16-17 for 16 of his Italian-based players.
Luca Lechthaler of defending Lega A champions and Coppa Italia winners Montepaschi Siena has been named along with Marco Mordente, an Italy veteran who has been excelling with Armani Jeans Milano.
Angelo Gigli, a key member of the EuroBasket 2007 squad who missed last summer's qualifying campaign through injury, is also included.
The only player from the Lega Due to be named is Monferrato center Tommaso Fantoni, who played in two qualifying games last summer.
The 2.03m center Fantoni, who turns 24 on Wednesday, is averaging 12.6 points and 5.5 rebounds for fourth-place Monferrato.
Squad for Italy training camp:
Valerie Amoroso (202-F-80) (Bancatercas Teramo)
Michele Antonutti (203-G/F-86) (Snaidero Udine)
Pietro Aradori (192-G-88) (Angelico Biella)
Daniele Cavaliero (189-G-84) (Premiata Montegranaro)
Daniele Cinciarini (194-G-83) (Air Avellino)
Andrea Crosariol (212-C-84, (Air Avellino)
Luigi Datome (202-G/F-87) (Lottomatica Roma)
Tommaso Fantoni (203-F-85) (Fastweb Casale Monferrato)
Luca Garri (207-C/F-82) (Angelico Biella)
Jacopo Giachetti (191-G-83) (Lottomatica Roma)
Angelo Gigli (209-F/C-83) (Lottomatica Roma)
Luca Lechthaler (207-C-86) (Montepaschi Siena)
Marco Mordente (191-G-79) (Armani Jeans Milano)
Giuseppe Poeta (190-G-85) (Bancatercas Teramo)
Andrea Renzi (208-F/C-89) (Benetton Treviso)
Luca Vitali (201-G-86) (Armani Jeans Milano)
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Quote:D'Antoni, Italy Fret Over Gallinari
Italian basketball fans are worried about the back problems that have plagued Danilo Gallinari during his rookie season in the NBA and so are the New York Knicks faithful.
New York coach Mike D'Antoni has done nothing to allay the anxiety, admitting in the Italian media over the weekend that he's "a bit nervous" about the 20-year-old who has played in just 28 games this season.
Gallinari was due to rejoin the Knicks on Monday after having his back examined by doctors in Milan.
"I think we will have him back for next season, whether it's with physiotherapy or an operation, that we still don't know," D'Antoni said.
"Certainly, I am a bit nervous and he should be also because there are no guarantees.
"We know we cannot make any mistakes when dealing with this situation. Danilo is a very important part of our future."
The New York Times reported last week that Gallinari is likely to decline an invitation to play for Italy in the Additional Qualifying Round (AQR) for EuroBasket 2009.
In the AQR, Italy are in Group B with France and Finland.
Should the Italians finish top of that pool, they will then have to win in a home-and-away tie against the winners of Group A (Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Portugal) to advance to Poland for the Final Round.
Italy still do not know if three of the other North American-based players - Toronto Raptors center Andrea Bargnani, Golden State Warriors guard Marco Belinelli or University of Southern California point guard Daniel Hackett - will play.
Bargnani has been on a tear since February 10, averaging more than 20 points in 16 games.
However, he missed Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers with a sore left heel.
Hackett's Trojans suffered a narrow defeat to Michigan State on Sunday night to bow out of the NCAA Tournament in the round of 32.
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Quote:ITA/USA ââ¬â Surgery appears likely for Gallinari
NEW YORK (NBA) ââ¬â New York Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari is likely to have surgery in a bid to solve the back trouble that has plagued the Italian this season.
Gallinari visited with specialists last weekend in Milan and Verona and returned to New York on Monday.
When asked about the possibility of surgery, the 20-year-old said: "Yeah, I'm leaning in that direction.
"We tried everything for eight months to figure out this problem. Last week, we were talking about this with specialists about the right idea and what to do.ââ¬Â
The aim of surgery is to relieve pressure on a nerve in his back.
Knicks officials will confer with specialists this week before making an announcement on Gallinari, who played in just 28 games this season.
Gallinari has not publically ruled out playing for Italy in the EuroBasket 2009 Additional Qualifying Round though his appearance seems unlikely.
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, meanwhile, has no regrets selecting Gallinari sixth in last year's draft.
"We didn't pick anybody to win the title this year," D'Antoni said.
"We picked guys that in one, two, three years will develop into some of the best players in the league.
"We're pretty confident he's on that track. Now whether he does or not, nobody can see into the future."
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Quote:ITA/USA ââ¬â Surgery appears likely for Gallinari
NEW YORK (NBA) ââ¬â New York Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari is likely to have surgery in a bid to solve the back trouble that has plagued the Italian this season.
Gallinari visited with specialists last weekend in Milan and Verona and returned to New York on Monday.
When asked about the possibility of surgery, the 20-year-old said: "Yeah, I'm leaning in that direction.
"We tried everything for eight months to figure out this problem. Last week, we were talking about this with specialists about the right idea and what to do.ââ¬Â
The aim of surgery is to relieve pressure on a nerve in his back.
Knicks officials will confer with specialists this week before making an announcement on Gallinari, who played in just 28 games this season.
Gallinari has not publically ruled out playing for Italy in the EuroBasket 2009 Additional Qualifying Round though his appearance seems unlikely.
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, meanwhile, has no regrets selecting Gallinari sixth in last year's draft.
"We didn't pick anybody to win the title this year," D'Antoni said.
"We picked guys that in one, two, three years will develop into some of the best players in the league.
"We're pretty confident he's on that track. Now whether he does or not, nobody can see into the future."
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Quote:Italyââ¬â¢s Gallinari Set For Back-Op On Tuesday
Rising Italy star Danilo Gallinari will go under the knife on Tuesday in New York in the hope of solving his troublesome back injury.
The 20-year-old played in just 28 games in 2008-09 - his rookie campaign with the New York Knicks.
The advice of doctors in both America and Italy is for Gallinari to have an operation.
Gallinari's father, Vittorio, said in an interview with Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport: "On Tuesday, the day has finally come.
"After eight months, we have decided that it's in his best interest to undergo surgery.
"The operation will be simpler than we first thought it would be.
"The explanations we received in Italy and New York have been more than satisfying.
"We are very confident and therefore, calm."
The Knicks were ecstatic to draft Gallinari sixth in the 2008 NBA draft and see him as a significant part of their future as they attempt to reach the play-offs again.
They have not been in the post-season since 2001.
"Even though the problem is a minor injury, in the last eight months the pain has not gone away," Gallinari's father said.
"Hence, we've decided to go this way."
As for the time needed to recuperate from the operation, the father said: "It will take a couple of months for him to recover.
"But the Knicks have not rushed us. He's having the surgery at the end of the season. There is no need for him to play in the Summer League.
"There are no specific times because Danilo has ahead of him the whole summer to recover.
"We will take it one step at a time. But until we see improvement after the surgery, it's difficult to say when he'll be able to return."
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Carlo Recalcati will probably leave the Italian NT bench after the Eurobasket in September.
[quote name='Black Urum' post='16031' date='May 31 2009, 06:58 AM']Carlo Recalcati will probably leave the Italian NT bench after the Eurobasket in September.[/quote]
Finally <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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Quote:With Italy for eight years, Carlo Recalcati is ready to remain one more year with the "Azurri". The contract of the 64-year-old was to end in September, but the Italian federation decided to extend it depending on the results achieved this summer.
Italy is yet to qualify for Eurobasket 2009, as it will play the additional round in group B with Finland and France.
Despite some criticism, especially in the last few years, Recalcati's reign is one of the longest in Europe and he conquered a bronze medal for the Italians in Eurobasket 2003 and a silver one at the Olympic Games the following year for the Italians.
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Quote:The biggest novelty in Italy's preliminary roster to play the Eurobasket 2009 additional qualifying round in August is the US-born Shaun Stonerook, who is to make his debut for the national team. The players currently in the NBA (Bargnani and Belinelli) were also called. A second group of players which chances to be called was formed as well.
Italy is in group B of the additional round, along with Finland and France.
Valerio Amoroso (Teramo)
Giuseppe Poeta (Teramo)
Andrea Bargnani (Toronto Raptors)
Marco Belinelli (Golden State Warriors)
Massimo Bulleri (Benetton Treviso)
Matteo Soragna (Benetton Treviso)
Andrea Crosariol (Avellino)
Marco Cusin (Soresina)
Luigi Datome (Roma)
Jacopo Giachetti (Roma)
Angelo Gigli (Roma)
Luca Garri (Biella)
Stefano Mancinelli (Fortitudo Bologna)
Marco Mordente (Milano)
Luca Vitali (Milano)
Shaun Stonerook (Siena)
Pietro Aradori (Biella)
Valerio Spinelli (Biella)
Daniele Cinciarini (Avellino)
Alessandro Cittadini (Fortitudo Bologna)
Daniel Hackett (USC Trojans)
Tomas Ress (Siena)