After one season as a candidate to be the No. 1 overall draft pick, Paolo Banchero is jumping to the NBA.
The school said the freshman planned to hire an agent after he announced his decision in a social media video.
It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA, and Duke has prepared me for that. I am blessed to be a part of The Brotherhood for the rest of my life.
pic.twitter.com/d7yqZlDrsm
— Paolo Banchero🇮🇹 (@Pp_doesit) April 20, 2022
Before he arrived on the Durham, North Carolina, campus from Seattle, he was seen as a one-and-done player. The Associated Press named Banchero a third-team All-America pick, and he is ranked second in the latest list of draft prospects.
The latest mock draft by Jonathan Givony had the Banchero as the third overall pick.
The centerpiece of the recruiting class, Banchero averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebound in 39 games, but failed to reach double figures twice. He helped Duke reach the Final Four for the 13th time and win its first Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in seven years.
Krzyzewski said in a statement that Banchero is ready to attack the next phase of his career.
He is a model player in the NBA game. He did what was asked of him at a very high level.
Top 2 pick. Not 2. Thanks for everything @Pp_doesit! 💙👿#DukeintheNBA pic.twitter.com/Zn8IpRdrvZ
— Duke Men's Basketball (@DukeMBB) April 20, 2022
The NCAA allowed college athletes to profit from the use of their name, image and likeness, which began last summer, when Banchero took advantage of opportunities for college athletes to cash in on their fame with endorsements.
In his case, he worked with the Creative Artists Agency for marketing deals and got deals that included becoming the first player featured in the latest NBA 2K video game and a basketball trading card as part of a multi-year deal.
He is going to make more money in the NBA.
Mark Williams, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, became the second Duke player to announce a jump to the NBA two days earlier.
The report was contributed to by the Associated Press.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
