In a statement issued Saturday, President-elect Donald J. Trump nominated Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Italy.

Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is tapping Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta to be the next ambassador to Italy, where firebrand Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has become a European power player — and a Trump favorite.

Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets and Landry’s restaurant group, hosted a fundraiser for Trump earlier this year.