September 26, 2007

ROME (AP) -- Playing in Italy is nothing new for Andrea Bargnani. When he comes home next week and suits up in his Toronto Raptors uniform, though, the feeling will be different.

``It's something very big. I will be very nervous,'' Bargnani, last year's top draft pick, said of the upcoming games in Rome against the Boston Celtics and Lottomatica Virtus Roma _ part of the NBA Europe Live tour.

Bargnani worked on his rebounding and low post game in the summer. (NBAE/Getty Images)

It will mark the first time that Rome-born Bargnani performs in front of all his friends and family members as an NBA player.

``It will be a strange experience,'' he said Wednesday in a conference call.

Becoming the first European player selected with the top pick has made Bargnani a star in Italy, although he's quick to point out that he's not quite as popular across the Atlantic yet.

``I'm not an NBA star. I still have to work to become a star,'' he said.

Bargnani started only two games for the Raptors in his rookie season, averaging 11.6 points per game and - more notably for a seven-footer - only 3.9 rebounds.

``I have to improve my rebounding skills and my low-post game,'' he said. ``I don't have to put weight on my body. I weigh 255-258 pounds. I just have to learn how to guard bigger people.''

The Raptors will train in Treviso for five days starting Sunday, then travel to Rome for the Celtics and Roma games Oct. 6 and 7. The Raptors will also face Real Madrid on Oct. 11.

Bargnani led Benetton Treviso to the Italian league title in 2006 before moving to the NBA. He was back in Europe this summer, playing for Italy at a major championship for the first time.

The experience ended on a sour note when Italy was eliminated in the second round of the European Championship by Germany, thus excluding the Azzurri from next year's Beijing Olympics.

``We played very bad basketball,'' Bargnani said. ``We were a new team, so that's something that can happen.''

Bargnani said he would play again for Italy, although his focus for now has shifted.

``I have to play almost 100 games with the Raptors now, so I don't want to think about that,'' he said.

One thing for certain is that Bargnani won't be going back home to play club ball anytime soon.

``I had so much fun in the NBA, I don't want to go back,'' he said.

In Italy, Bargnani plans to repay his teammates for the camaraderie they showed in welcoming him to Toronto last year.

``For sure we will go to dinner a lot of times - to eat some good Italian food,'' he said.

Sightseeing, meanwhile, might not make the cut.

``I will be very, very busy, so I don't know if there will be time to show the city,'' he said. ``For sure we won't have time to show Rome. For Rome, you need two months.''