Paolo Banchero could also be Duke royalty now, however rising up, the Orlando Magic star had a tender spot for the enemy.
The previous No. 1 total decide — one in every of 5 Blue Devils to carry that honor and a path Cooper Flagg may quickly comply with — admitted he really appreciated North Carolina as a child.
“I ain’t gonna lie, rising up, I really appreciated the Tar Heels a bit of bit,” Banchero mentioned on “The Pivot.” “I can not lie as a result of my Rotary workforce, my elementary by highschool AAU workforce, is Carolina blue colours. So, that was my colours I wore enjoying so we all the time appreciated Carolina. And my mother, she additionally had a participant that she coached in highschool go on to play at North Carolina.”
Earlier than changing into an NBA All-Star, Banchero earned second-team consensus All-American honors and was named ACC Rookie of the 12 months at Duke throughout the 2021-22 season. The previous five-star prospect helped lead the Blue Devils to the Remaining 4, the place they fell to UNC, 81-77, within the remaining recreation of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski’s profession.
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“There have been some ties there to North Carolina,” Banchero mentioned. “However I ended up being a Blue Devils. I am proud to be a Blue Satan.”
Banchero rated because the No. 2 total prospect within the 2021 class popping out of Seattle (Wash.) O Dea. He held quite a few provides with visits to Duke, Gonzaga, Kentucky, UNC and Tennessee. The McDonald’s All-American dedicated to the Blue Devils in August 2020 earlier than signing that November.
After a stellar one-and-done season at Duke, Banchero declared for the 2022 NBA Draft and was chosen No. 1 total by Orlando in a considerably shocking transfer. Sarcastically, he later signed a multi-year footwear and attire take care of Jordan Model — the corporate based by six-time NBA champion and UNC legend Michael Jordan.
“Simply to have the ability to signal with Jordan and be part of that model and simply the greatness that’s related to that model and me attempting to construct my very own greatness, there is not any higher place to be for me,” Banchero. “So, actually enthusiastic about that.”