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The NBA champion could soon wear the Azzurri jersey – but for him, it’s more than basketball
Donte DiVincenzo is ready to embrace his Italian roots in the most meaningful way possible: by playing for the national team. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard confirmed to us that he’s actively working on obtaining Italian citizenship, with the goal of joining Italbasket as soon as this summer.
“The goal is to play (for Italy),” DiVincenzo said. “We’re finishing up the paperwork to get the passport, and then we’ll see. But yes, both sides are excited to get it done and hopefully make it happen this summer.”
The former NCAA champion with Villanova and 2021 NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks would bring intensity, defense, experience, and heart to the Italian squad. And he knows that playing for Italy isn’t just about basketball: It’s about identity.
“It’s amazing to know there’s a whole country watching me,” he said in an exclusive interview. “The way I want to represent Italy, and the way the fans want me to represent it, is something really special. Some players have even reached out… it makes you proud. Just like every NBA player feels pride representing their country.”
Not Just Business—It’s Personal
Recently, Donte had dinner with Italbasket head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and Italian NBA forward Simone Fontecchio. But there was no pressure, no intense basketball talk.
“It was really nice,” Donte shared. “We didn’t even talk about basketball. It wasn’t about business—it was about building a human connection.”
That relaxed, friendly approach seems to have made an impression on DiVincenzo, reinforcing the sense that this journey toward the Azzurri is something he’s embracing with both heart and mind.
“Big Ragu” and His Italian Side
Fans still call him “The Big Ragu,” a nickname that was given to him due to his Italian heritage and his red hair—but it might go deeper than that.
The name was likely inspired by Carmine Ragusa, a character on the classic 1970s–80s sitcom Laverne & Shirley, who was also Italian and affectionately known as “The Big Ragu.” When TV announcer Gus Johnson coined the nickname for Donte, it was probably a nostalgic nod to that pop culture reference.
As for DiVincenzo himself?
“I definitely can’t cook it,” he laughs. “But if fans enjoy it, I’m good with it. I’m sure if I play this summer, new nicknames will come out. As long as it’s fun for the fans, I’m in.”
Asked what the most Italian thing about him is off the court, his answer is simple and sweet:
“My girlfriend.”
Soccer Roots, Milan-Inter Nostalgia
Before basketball took over his life, DiVincenzo played soccer and still holds a soft spot for the sport. With a last name like his, he wouldn’t have looked out of place in Serie A. Which team would he play for?
“I used to play as an attacking midfielder. I grew up watching Inter Milan and AC Milan, so I’d say Inter Milan.
Now, though, his focus is all on the court. And maybe soon, on bringing his energy, grit, and Azzurro pride to the international stage.
A Potential Azzurri Redemption
After the disappointment Italian fans felt with Paolo Banchero, who had previously expressed his intention to play for Italy but ultimately (and understandably) chose Team USA, DiVincenzo’s commitment feels like a kind of emotional redemption.
“It would be a beautiful revenge,” some fans might say—not against Banchero personally, but against the sense of hope left unfulfilled. Donte’s willingness to proudly wear the Azzurri jersey could reignite that dream and help restore a deeper connection between Italy and its NBA stars.
