April 24th, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
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We’ve had our share of NCAA players who have declared for the 2008 NBA Draft already; now you can add an international player into the mix.? According to SportsTicker, Danilo Gallinari, a star player on Armani Jeans Milano, has made himself available for the draft.? The 19 year old small forward, who by all accounts has been stellar in both Italy and Europe this season, is of the mindset that he will be taken in the top 15 of the draft.
According to Gallinari in an interview with Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, ?I am making myself eligible for the NBA.? I knew that sooner or later I would have to make this decision but I wanted to stay calm to be in good shape for the playoffs with Armani Jeans Milano.? I expect to be drafted in the top 15.? ?But if I should drop after 20 things could become different.? My aim is to try to get people to know me for the player I am in Europe and to play as much as possible.?? I think it’s safe to say that he doesn’t lack on confidence, if anything else.
Gallinari is averaging 14.9 PPG in the Euroleague this season, earning the 2007-2008 Rising Star Trophy award – which goes to the best player under the age of 22 in the competition; one thing that works in his favor is that Gallinari, unlike the majority of international players who declare for the NBA draft, doesn’t have a buy-out clause in his contract.? This would make the transition from international basketball to the NBA that much smoother; ironically, he has 2 more seasons with Armani Jeans Milano.
