In Italy they use the word 'basket' alot for basketball as well as pallacanestro. I don't know if this is 'proper' language or a bastardization, but it ought to be accepted.

Why is it "la pallacanestro" instead of "il"?

Best joke ever.

i agree. i live in Italy and basket is a very common term - more common that palacanestro.

It really is.

Why not "la pallacanestro d'europea"?

Do you have to say la for pallacanestro? You can simply just say pallacanestro