Danilo Gallinari will be hoping to ride the wave of his NBA Africa game performance, which is paving the way for his comeback from an injury-riddled 2017-18 season with the L.A. Clippers.
The Italian marksman took home MVP honors as a member of Team World, putting up 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the floor, and is now hopeful to do the same for his national team in international competition.
“After my birthday party I will fly to Los Angeles and talk with the Clippers. I will ask them to let me play for Italy” Gallinari told Italian outlet Tuttosport, according to Sportando.
Gallo will turn 30 on Wednesday, making this a great opportunity to ask for a rather unique birthday gift from the Clippers, who were hoping to get him back healthy for this upcoming season.
Article Continues BelowThere will be some reservation with allowing the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter to play, given that he only made 21 appearances for the team and has proven to be injury-prone throughout his NBA career.
Gallinari has only played in 60 or more games in a given season in three of his nine years in the league. Gallo is also coming off the worst shooting season of his career, connecting in less than 40 percent of his shots from the field and 32.4 percent from deep.
He will need to regain his shooting rhythm to make the most of his FIBA run with Italy if he is indeed allowed to represent his country in international competition.