Paolo Banchero began his Duke career with a 22-point, seven-rebound outing against No. 10 Kentucky that propelled him into favorite status to be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He finished his Duke career with 20 points and 10 boards against North Carolina in the Final Four and retained his position as a legitimate contender to be this year’s top pick.
Banchero’s appeal lies in its polish. It’s an incredible offensive weapon that thrives in the mid-range. He can create his own separation in tight windows and shoot defenders, with a mix of modern and old-school finesse that’s tantalizing. It’s a smart cutter. Makes smart passage readings. You can put it on your elbow and run your attack through it, its fast processing speed being an ever-present threat to defenses.
Banchero’s experience was first as a guard before being a dual-threat power forward. He grew up playing guard before hitting a six-inch growth spurt just before high school. He took these classes throughout high school and into college, making him one of the best passers at his position in recent memory. When he grabs a board, he can run the break and go coast to coast like he’s 6-foot-4.
Shooting from deep and defending at a high level are the only two things stopping him from becoming the consensus top prospect. He can knock down 3 points, but he’s only made 33.8% at Duke. He can defend and hold his own physically, but getting around the perimeter and maintaining the effort and focus has been hit or miss in college at times.
Whoever bets on him bets on those who gather. There is no doubt that he will be a dynamic weapon on offense for years to come. Small roll play and scoring in the midrange are two staples of his game that will translate to the next level. If he can hone outside shooting and defense, he can become the most productive player in the loaded class this year and a potential steal should he move past No.1.
Paolo Banchero
DUKE • SP • 5
FR | 6-10 | 250
GPP17.2
Roleplay7.8
APG3.2
FG PCT46.8
A scout’s perspective
We asked NBA scouts, giving them complete anonymity, their take on Banchero.
“Somehow or another, he’s the one who kind of flew under the radar. If it’s possible with a perspective out of Duke. You’ve got a unicorn with Chet and that savant shooter taking the control of the pitch with Jabari Paolo is the best There is an attacking cog in half pitch It comes down to defense and if he can and wants to improve and how high he can get to it His attack overcomes- Is Bamba the right fit for him His lack of length and shot blocking sometimes puts him in the 4. »
Hear Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander analyze Banchero’s skills on the Eye on College Basketball podcast.
Banchero needs to know
Strengths
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Polished scorer who can create looks for himself anywhere on the pitch. Has a return to the basket game designed for the NBA and has the ability to knock down 3 points
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Grew up playing guard before going through several growth spurts; his ability to create as a setter and playmaker has stayed with him and is a huge asset
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Forward grip for a forward 6-10; can grab rebounds and run the break
Weaknesses
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Killer scorer in the midrange, but just OK as an outside threat. Can he improve his shot and consistently be a ground spacer from 3-point range?
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Athlete fluid but not explosive; at his size, he’s not a lob threat like other big 6-10s, nor is he a rim protector on defense.
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The defensive intensity increases and decreases over the matches. Must improve his concentration for this purpose to become a useful defender.
Professional comparison
College numbers to know: 33.8% shooting from 3 points at Duke
Before college
Dummy drafts
