{"id":152914,"date":"2025-07-31T00:54:51","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T04:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=152914"},"modified":"2025-07-31T00:54:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T04:54:51","slug":"whats-next-italy-timberwolves-donte-divincenzo-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/31\/whats-next-italy-timberwolves-donte-divincenzo-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s Next For Italy, Wolves Following Donte DiVincenzo Injury?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Minnesota Timberwolves guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/divindo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donte DiVincenzo<\/a> was just a month away from accomplishing his goal of playing for Italy&#8217;s national basketball team. However, he&#8217;ll have to wait a little longer to realize that dream. In a video message released on Wednesday, the 28-year-old revealed that he&#8217;s withdrawn from the 2025 EuroBasket Tournament &#8220;due to a physical issue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>What&#8217;s Next For Italy, Wolves Following Donte DiVincenzo Injury?<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s up everyone? I just wanted to say how happy and thankful I am and excited I am to finally become an Italian citizen,\u201d DiVincenzo begins. \u201cI want to thank the federation and Italian institutions for making all this happen and possible in record time.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"it\">In bocca al lupo, Donte! A presto \u2728<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Italbasket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Italbasket<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/r2zYQclE94\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/r2zYQclE94<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Italbasket (@Italbasket) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Italbasket\/status\/1950546918972469300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnfortunately, I will not be able to join the national team this summer due to a physical issue that over the last few days forced me to make this difficult, difficult decision. But my goal remains the same. It remains with the journey of Italian basketball going forward&#8230; World Cup and the Olympics, and for a very long time. So I just wanted to show my commitment, send my best of luck to the team, and see you all soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>No Donte, No Problem?<\/h3>\n<p>With DiVincenzo out, Valencia point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/darius-thompson-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darius Thompson<\/a> is <a href=\"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/gigi-datome-donte-divincenzo-has-suffered-a-recurrence-of-a-physical-problem\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">will take his place<\/a>, per Sportando&#8217;s Alessandro Maggi. Like DiVincenzo, Thompson is an efficient 3-point shooter and respectable perimeter defender with playmaking ability. They even have similar career scoring averages, with DiVinenzo at 10.7 points per game and Thompson at 11.0 points per game.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, Thompson went undrafted in 2018 and has only ever played abroad. With that in mind, for all the positive publicity that international leagues receive, the level of competition is considered to be at least a tier below the NBA&#8217;s. Thus, it&#8217;s quite possible that Thompson won&#8217;t be able to provide the same firepower as DiVincenzo, if not likely.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152920\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152920\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-152920\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_16484647_168404789_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jul 31, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Italy player Simone Fontecchio (13) reacts after a made three point basket during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nevertheless, Miami Heat forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fontesi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Simone Fontecchio<\/a> scored a team-high 18.0 points per game for the Italian national team in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. For reference, Timberwolves star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/anthony-edwards-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Edwards<\/a> averaged a team-high 18.9 points per game for Team USA in that same competition. Furthermore, playmaker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/marco-spissu-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marco Spissu<\/a> has also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backdoorpodcast.com\/en\/italbasket-tra-i-18-convocati-per-eurobasket-ce-divincenzo\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">received a call-up<\/a> from Italy. In the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Spissu averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 47.9 percent from 3 on 6.0 attempts per game.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, their ceiling is probably lower without DiVincenzo. However, there&#8217;s reason to believe that they&#8217;ll be fine.<\/p>\n<h3>Much Ado About Nothing?<\/h3>\n<p>Following DiVincenzo&#8217;s announcement, Italy national team coordinator Gigi Datome spoke about the situation as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn 21 July, we received clearance from the (Timberwolves) franchise,\u201d Datome says. \u201cDonte was resuming training, but between 22 and 23 July, he felt discomfort in his big toe, which had already cost him a month out this season&#8230; According to doctors and specialists, we were talking about three to four months of therapy, so (returning) wasn\u2019t possible. He sent the video to show that we were on the same page. That\u2019s how it went.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Given the timing of DiVincenzo&#8217;s injury, 3-4 months of physical therapy could theoretically affect his availability for the season opener. Yet, the decision was simply a &#8220;precaution,&#8221; according to The Athletic&#8217;s Jon Krawczynski. In fact, they have &#8220;no concern about his readiness for the upcoming season.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">On Donte DiVincenzo\u2019s announcement of a health issue that will keep him from playing for Team Italy: I\u2019m told that Wolves see it as a precaution. No concern about his readiness for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JonKrawczynski\/status\/1950600563185344926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Maybe that&#8217;s true. Maybe they&#8217;re just being optimistic. After all, toe injuries are notoriously tricky for athletes in any sport. DiVincenzo needing to withdraw from the EuroBasket tournament is evidence of that in and of itself. So, if they aren&#8217;t already, the Timberwolves should be prepared for the possibility his injury keeps him from playing at the beginning of the season.<\/p>\n<p>In that effort, plans should be discussed for 2024 No. 8 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/dilliro01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rob Dillingham<\/a> or 2024 No. 27 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/shannte01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terrence Shannon Jr.<\/a> to step up during his absence. With that being said, Dillingham is a shifty combo guard whose offensive skillset bears similarities to DiVincenzo. Yet, Shannon was a more NBA-ready rookie and has better size than Dillingham. In fact, the 25-year-old averaged 16.6 points and 3.0 assists per game when he played 20+ minutes last season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"modal-image-setImageMetadata\">\n<p class=\"ng-binding\">\u00a9 Michael McLoone-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was just a month away from accomplishing his goal of playing for Italy&#8217;s national basketball team. However, he&#8217;ll have to wait a little longer to realize that dream. In a video message released on Wednesday, the 28-year-old revealed that he&#8217;s withdrawn from the 2025 EuroBasket Tournament &#8220;due to a physical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":152921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,1608,61,16,62,3],"tags":[1553,1131,1195,66,4745,49162,49053,50229,50228],"class_list":["post-152914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-timberwolves","category-basketball","category-international-basketball","category-heat","category-nba","category-news","tag-donte-divincenzo","tag-eurobasket","tag-fiba","tag-international-basketball","tag-nba-injuries","tag-rob-dillingham","tag-simone-fontecchio","tag-team-italy","tag-terrence-shannon-jr"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152914"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152922,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152914\/revisions\/152922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}