National Basketball Association

Spurs' Assistant Ettore Messina to remain Team Italy's coach

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina is considered one of the world’s greatest coaches. So it is not surprising his home country of Italy will love for him to remain as coach of their men’s national basketball team.

Messina, now heading into his second year with the Spurs, is still under contract with the Italian Federation. His heart is still set in Italy and coaching the national team. He stated if he were approached to be asked to be the national team head coach, he would, only if it were ‘OK’ with the

Spurs.

“My idea is to keep coaching the National Team. But first the Spurs have to give me the green light. If they let me coach the Italian National Team, one second later I will sit with the Federation which honored me offering a contract till next Eurobasket. It will be decided in the next few days” Messina said.

With a contract already in place until September 30, the Spurs assistant coach already has a contract extension until the next Eurobasket.

Despite the team failing to make the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the future is bright for Team Italy. They carry alot talent among the roster – like former Spur Marco Belinelli – and have other established NBA players, Euroleague superstars, and young players.

The squad have everything to hope for in the Eurobasket 2017 and they will indeed have the man they want inMessina.

The Spurs have given Messina their permission.

He has been named the head coach for this summer’s tournament according to reports.

“I thank President (Gianni) Petrucci and Italian Basketball Federation for the trust. I’d also thank coach (Gregg) Popovich and RC Buford of the Spurs for their great availability. This is a logical continuation. It starts to do the best job possible at the European Championship.”