Minnesota’s sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo is now closer to donning the jersey of the Italy national basketball team this summer. After receiving Italian citizenship from the Council of Ministers, he is eligible to participate in international competitions.

“The Council of Ministers, upon proposal by the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, and based on the positive recommendations from Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani and the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, has resolved to grant Mr. Donte DiVincenzo Italian citizenship, recognizing his special merits under legal provisions.** source

DiVincenzo, who previously sought citizenship with the aim to compete in events like the FIBA EuroBasket, expressed optimism about his chances.

“I think it would be wonderful to represent Italy. We just have to wait for the paperwork,” he stated earlier this year. This process has taken time, as he originally sought citizenship while at Villanova University, viewing a career in the NBA as “unrealistic” at that time.

Though he tried for citizenship before the 2024 Paris Olympics, timing was not in his favor. Now, with approval in hand, he can aim to join Italian stars like Danilo Gallinari, Nicolò Melli, and Nico Mannion on the national team, as Italy faces challenges in Group C against Cyprus, Georgia, Spain, Greece, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.