Danilo Gallinari issued an apology after punching an opponent in the grill during the Eurobasket tournament Sunday.
Danilo Gallinari: I feel really bad. I apologize to my teammates, the National Team and also Kok https://t.co/410fzgyR24 pic.twitter.com/qGWHwtVtXb
— Sportando (@Sportando) August 1, 2017
Gallo hurt his right thumb, and is no longer able to play in the rest of the tourney.
Gallinari is expected to recover in time for the start of training camp next month.
Per La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sportando):
“I am very sorry for so many reasons. First because I am not part anymore of the Italian NT team and for the way I left it. Italian NT is like a second family to me and I feel really bad. I reacted after being elbowed. My reaction must be condemned but I got an elbow and we’ll never know if it was on purpose or not. The problem is that the elbows were flying high for a while during the game and when we were shooting they put their feet under us with the risk of getting hurt. In a short way, they were not playing clean. The game looked more as a fight. With this, I am not seeking an alibi, my reaction is inexcusable. I apologize to my teammates, to the whole National Team and also to Kok. I lost my control, never happened before and never have to happen again” Gallinari said.
