"Manu Ginobili's agent, Herb Rudoy, on Thursday confirmed an offer made to Ginobili to rejoin the Virtus Bologna team in the Italian League, but said no response has yet been made to the offer.

Ginobili's brother Leandro, working as a television analyst at the FIBA Americas tournament, also confirmed the offer for Manu to play again in Italy if the NBA lockout continues.

"I don't think Manu is thinking he will go play in Italy for two months before returning to the Spurs," said Manu's 41-year-old brother.

Leandro Ginobili said his brother is completely focused on the final two days of the tournament and has made no response whatsoever to the offer from Virtus Bologna, first reported by the Italian sports publication Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Ginobili played in Bologna in 2001, leading the club, then Kinder Bologna, to the European Final Four and being named MVP of the tournament."