Celtics alum GiGi Datome helps Italy close out group phase with 90-56 blowout of Great Britain

Yes, THAT Gigi Datome.

It might have been a while since you had thought about him given how long he has been playing overseas, but Boston Celtics forward alumnus Luigi Datome was no small part of his Italian National Team’s 90-56 win over the British National Team in FIBA EuroBasket play on Thursday evening.

The 34-year-old swingman is playing a bigger role for Italy than he might have in the wake of their losing Boston vet forward Danilo Gallinari to an ACL tear, with Datome stepping up to be the team’s second-leading scorer in their victory over Great Britain. Datome put up 13 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and as many steals in just over 17 minutes of floor time.

The Montebelluna native shot a red-hot 5-of-7 from the field overall, including hitting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc with no turnovers or personal fouls.

“We wanted to finish in the right way. We take the positive things of these matches and we will be ready for the game on Sunday,” teammate Giampaolo Ricci said after the game via Eurohoops.

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