DiVincenzo could play for Italy
HOUSTON — Donte DiVincenzo, the sharpshooting Knicks guard, said he’d “love” to represent Italy in the upcoming Olympics but hurdles remain between his eligibility.
“Ideally, I would love to,” DiVincenzo told The Post before the Knicks’ 105-103 loss to the Rockets. “Logistically and how everything plays out, I don’t know if it’s possible. But if everything works out perfectly, I would love to.”
DiVincenzo, who was born in America with an Italian family heritage, said he’s in the process of securing the necessary paperwork for citizenship and hopes “it’s almost done.” Another concern, as DiVincenzo outlined, is whether a deep Knicks playoff run would affect the Olympic qualifying tournament, which begins a couple weeks after the NBA Finals conclude.
“Multiple factors weigh into this,” he said.
Italy, unlike the United States, has to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The Italians face Bahrain in their opener to Olympic qualifying on July 2, then Puerto Rico on July 4.
Both those games are in Puerto Rico. The Olympic tournament starts July 27.
“There’s a few more hoops to jump through,” DiVincenzo, who scored 23 points Monday, told The Post. “But it’s something I told my family, my agent, that I wanted to do — to be able to represent a country. And hopefully I can get all the paperwork done and be out there as soon as possible.”
FIBA tournaments only allow one naturalized citizen per team, and the Italians were eager to secure Orlando Magic big man Paolo Banchero for that spot ahead of the 2023 World Cup. However, Banchero, whose father is of Italian descent, reneged on a verbal commitment and opted for Team USA.
It prompted Italy’s federation president to slam Banchero for “fooling us.” The ordeal could help explain any hesitancy in bringing DiVincenzo aboard.
DiVincenzo, unlike Banchero, wasn’t among the 41-player Olympic pool for Team USA. The Delaware native would be Italy’s lone naturalized player in Paris.
HOUSTON — Julius Randle is champing at the bit to get back.
Coach Tom Thibodeau said he met with the power forward — who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder — and they mapped out a plan for the All-Star break, with a clear positive vibe about the progress.
“He was in my office the day before we left [for Houston]; we had a great visit, went through some stuff,” the Knicks coach said before Monday’s 105-103 loss to the Rockets. “We’re already processing what the next things are. He’s doing very well overall. And the thing that’s unfortunate; he was playing at such a high level when he took on the injury. And I said it at the time, the one great thing about him is he’s in great shape. So, I think that makes it — not easier; it’s never easy to come back, but because of the fact that he’s in great shape, I think coming back happens faster because of that.”
Randle suffered a dislocated shoulder last month and is intent on avoiding season-ending surgery. On Feb. 2, the Knicks said Randle would be reevaluated in two to three weeks.
The Knicks face the Magic on Valentine’s Day, then don’t play again until Feb. 22 because of the All-Star break.
“It’s going to be constant evaluation. He’s doing well. Progressing. Meeting all the milestones,” Thibodeau said. “… Julius doesn’t sit out with soreness. If he can play, he’s going to play.”
➤ Isaiah Hartenstein missed his second straight game with Achilles soreness. Jericho Sims, who returned from an illness, started in his spot and tallied four points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes.
➤ Evan Fournier feels freed. The Frenchman, disgruntled and eager for a relocation from the Knicks for over a calendar year, said he’s ecstatic about leaving the franchise that signed him to a $54 million contract in 2021.
“I’m really excited to be finally out of New York,” Fournier told reporters in Detroit on Monday, ahead of his first game with the Pistons. “So looking forward to a new opportunity.”
Thibodeau, who benched Fournier early last season and kept him there until the trade last week, was complimentary while saying that the banishment from PT wasn’t personal.
“You always have to do what’s best for your team. So sometimes that means guys go out of the rotation,” Thibodeau said.