San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina’s summer job has him as the head coach of the Italian national team. They’ll compete in this month’s Eurobasket tournament, which kicks off on August 31 and concludes on September 17.
Under Messina’s watch, Danilo Gallinari was involved in an altercation during Italy’s friendly against the Netherlands. This saw Gallinari punch Jito Kok, and result in a right thumb injury, according to ESPN.
In a statement to Italian publication Republicca (h/t San Antonio Express-News), Messina ripped Gallinari for his in-game antics. He said the 28-year-old, who will miss Eurobasket, apologized, but based on what Messina said, it wasn’t enough:
“He did something I can’t explain, unacceptable.