ITALY defeated China, 79-61, over the weekend to complete a two-game sweep of the Trentino Cup 2023, a part of its build-up for the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup in Trento, Italy.
Matteo Spagnolo, a former second-round draftee of the Minnesota Timberwolves who now plays for Aquila Basket Trento in Italy, had 13 points for the home side in the final.
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Mouhamet Diouf, the team’s naturalized player from Senegal, had 12 points in the win.
The Italians previously defeated Turkey in overtime, 90-89, to reach the finals against China, which saw new naturalized player Kyle Anderson make his debut for the team.
Italy will be facing the Philippines in its final group stage match in the Fiba Basketball World Cup on August 29 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Ranked No. 10 in the world, the Azurri are one of top contenders to advance into the next round.
Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds in his first game with China since being named as a naturalized player in time for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
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