French+and+Italian+Basketball

__**French and Italian Basketball **__


 * [[image:p1_tony_parker_si.jpg align="center" caption="French-born NBA star Tony Parker"]] || [[image:bargnani-250.jpg width="309" height="452" caption="Former #1 Pick Andre Bargnani"]] ||

Overview: ---France and Italy are similar to Germany when it comes to basketball, in that both countries are just recently beginning to show interest in the sport. Soccer, like in Germany, also takes the lead role in these two countries. Basketball without borders, an [|NBA program] that sets up camps across four continents, has helped instill interest in the youth of these countries. Both countries have stepped up their international play and NBA talent in the past decade. These two things should continue to inspire the youth of France and Italy to play the game of basketball.

__**French Basketball:**__ Top FIBA Finishes: 1999 European Championship for Men: 3rd place 2003 European Championship for Men: 4th place 2005 Eurobasket: 3rd place Top Olympic Performances : 2000 Summer Olympics: Silver Medal NBA Players: Boris Diaw, Phoenix Suns: Lockdown defender for the Phoenix Suns, a regular on the NBA All-defensive teams Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs: A star player for the defending NBA champions, an offensive threat, married to actress Eva Longoria Ronny Turiaf, Los Angeles Lakers: Bruiser down low for Los Angeles Lakers, comes off bench for valuable minutes, currently playing with Lakers in NBA playoffs Yakhouba Diawara, Denver Nuggets: Bench player for the Nuggets Johan Petro, Seattle SuperSonics: Aging bench player for the SuperSonics Mickael Pietrus, Golden State Warriors: Athletic bench player for the warriors, inside-out threat

Top FIBA Finishes: 1983 European Championship for Men: 1st Place 1985 European Championship for Men: 3rd Place 1991 European Championship for Men: 2nd Place 1997 European Championship for Men: 2nd Place 1999 European Championship for Men: 1st Place 2003 European Championship for Men: 3rd Place Top Olympic Performances: 2004 Summer Olympics: Silver Medal NBA Players: Andre Bargnani, Toronto Raptors: Selected 1st overall in the 2006 NBA draft, has shown steady improvement, big man with a sweet "J" Marco Belinelli, Golden State Warriors: 1st round selection in the 2006 NBA draft, known for his outside shooting ability
 * __ Italian Basketball: __**



Back to European Basketball Homepage