Italy's Nicolo Melli after QF exit: We will be back

Expect Italy to bounce back after their quarterfinals exit from the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Italy's Nicolo Melli assured their supporters they will be back and work harder to bring a medal the next time they compete.

"We will be back next summer," he said after their 100-63 loss to Team USA on Tuesday.

"We will try to qualify for the Olympics and if not, we will try next summer again, and again."

Despite the loss, Melli said the team gave its all and he is proud of what they have achieved in the whole tournament.

"I'm really proud to be part of this group, of this team. This time, maybe we deserved a little bit better, a little bit more, we deserved to overcome the quarterfinals," he said.

Melli said the team should also recognized the support they have received from their loved ones.

"We should be proud of what we did. We received a lot of love, a lot of support from the fans back home, from our families and friends, so this is something we should cherish," he said.

"But as an athlete, as a basketball player, you wanna win go home with something heavy around your neck. But as I said, sport is life. We will be back."

Melli posted five points and nine rebounds in the game against the United States.

The Italians, meanwhile, finished with four wins and two losses in the whole tournament.

Italy will play the loser of the quarterfinals match between Germany and Latvia in the classification round.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News