Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was just a month away from accomplishing his goal of playing for Italy’s national basketball team. However, he’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 In a video message released on Wednesday, the 28-year-old revealed that he’s withdrawn from the 2025 EuroBasket Tournament “due to a physical issue.”
What’s Next For Italy, Wolves Following Donte DiVincenzo Injury?
“What’s up everyone? I just wanted to say how happy and thankful I am and excited I am to finally become an Italian citizen,” DiVincenzo begins. “I want to thank the federation and Italian institutions for making all this happen and possible in record time.
In bocca al lupo, Donte! A presto
#Italbasket pic.twitter.com/r2zYQclE94
— Italbasket (@Italbasket) July 30, 2025
“Unfortunately, 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… 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.”
No Donte, No Problem?
With DiVincenzo out, Valencia point guard Darius Thompson is will take his place, per Sportando’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.
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’s. Thus, it’s quite possible that Thompson won’t be able to provide the same firepower as DiVincenzo, if not likely.
Nevertheless, Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio 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 Anthony Edwards averaged a team-high 18.9 points per game for Team USA in that same competition. Furthermore, playmaker Marco Spissu has also received a call-up 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.
Ultimately, their ceiling is probably lower without DiVincenzo. However, there’s reason to believe that they’ll be fine.
Much Ado About Nothing?
Following DiVincenzo’s announcement, Italy national team coordinator Gigi Datome spoke about the situation as well.
“On 21 July, we received clearance from the (Timberwolves) franchise,” Datome says. “Donte 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… According to doctors and specialists, we were talking about three to four months of therapy, so (returning) wasn’t possible. He sent the video to show that we were on the same page. That’s how it went.”
Given the timing of DiVincenzo’s injury, 3-4 months of physical therapy could theoretically affect his availability for the season opener. Yet, the decision was simply a “precaution,” according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. In fact, they have “no concern about his readiness for the upcoming season.”
On Donte DiVincenzo’s announcement of a health issue that will keep him from playing for Team Italy: I’m told that Wolves see it as a precaution. No concern about his readiness for the upcoming season.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) July 30, 2025
Maybe that’s true. Maybe they’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’t already, the Timberwolves should be prepared for the possibility his injury keeps him from playing at the beginning of the season.
In that effort, plans should be discussed for 2024 No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham or 2024 No. 27 pick Terrence Shannon Jr. 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.
© Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
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