Danilo Gallinari is likely to be a first-round draft pick this year in the NBA and could go as high as the lottery.

But the Armani Jeans Milano star, who is still just 19 years of age, has told any team that selects him not to stand in his way of playing for Italy this summer in their EuroBasket 2009 qualifying games.

"I don't know who will select me, but probably one of the problems will be linked with the Azzurri shirt," he admitted.

"I have told the national team coach (Carlo Recalcati) of my availability and my desire to represent my country.

"But I am aware of the problems if you become an important investment for an American team."

Gallinari was set to play for Italy at EuroBasket 2007 in Madrid but a knee injury suffered in a game against Latvia during the preparations ruled him out of the tournament.

The 2.05m forward will be in action this week for Armani Jeans Milano when they play Premiata Montegranaro in the Italian play-offs.

Italy, who failed to reach the quarter-finals of the EuroBasket last year in Spain, will take on Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Finland in Division A, Group A this summer.