Schiacciata all'Italiana?

Slam dunk Italian style? Andrea Bargnani, a 20-year old Rome native, could be this year's N.B.A. No. 1 Draft Pick. No Italian -- or European -- has ever been named the N.B.A.'s No. 1 Draft Pick, and the N.B.A. has not seen an Italian player since 1996.

Standing a towering 7 feet tall and nicknamed Il Mago -- the magician, Bargnani led his team Benetton Treviso to this year's Italian league title.

Magnani is being considered by the Toronto Raptors, who get the first pick in this year's draft. Yesterday afternoon Magnani said, "It's my dream to go No. 1, but it's also my dream to go 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6."


********UPDATE********

Bargnani chosen as No. 1 Draft Pick by the Toronto Raptors.

Bargnani: "I'm on seventh heaven."