Nicolò Barella reveals he wears the No.23 shirt 'because of LeBron James' and that both he and Allen Iverson inspired him.
"I played basketball for four years. There was a lot of competition in my family, but my cousins are better than me," he told Sky Sport Basketball Conversation.
"I discuss basketball with Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi and Lautaro Martinez. We follow NBA. When I join the national team, I talk about it with Davide Calabria, Mattia Perin and Giorgio Chiellini.
Nicolò Barella reveals he wears the No.23 shirt 'because of LeBron James' and that both he and Allen Iverson inspired him.
"I played basketball for four years. There was a lot of competition in my family, but my cousins are better than me," he told Sky Sport Basketball Conversation.
"I discuss basketball with Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi and Lautaro Martinez. We follow NBA. When I join the national team, I talk about it with Davide Calabria, Mattia Perin and Giorgio Chiellini.
"Allen Iverson's jersey was one of the first ones I bought. Seeing someone like him dominating among the giants was an important source of inspiration for me.
"In addition to his technical skills, his attitude impressed me," he added.
"I wear the No.23 shirt, because LeBron James also inspires me. I used to have the No.24 because it's the day when my daughter was born. I had a little argument with my wife for this change, but in the end, she understood.
"What impresses me about LeBron is the fact that he manages to change a team, bringing all his teammates to the highest level.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the LeBron James of football. He has talent, desire to work hard, and longevity and he brings his desire to win in every team.
"Winning the NBA is like winning the Champions League, it's more important than a Scudetto, even if I hope I can win one sooner or later."