Paolo Banchero

BANCHERO- 1st ITALIAN OVERALL PICK AFTER 16 YEARS

The Magic surprised everyone on Thursday by selecting Banchero first, despite being heavily linked to Jabari Smith Jr.

Banchero, an outstanding power forward who spent last season at Duke, has had Italian nationality since 2020 and has stated his desire to play for Italy, which he has already come close to doing in a FIBA window. His mother is a former professional basketball player from the United States and his Italian father played football. The two met at the University of Washington, but Paolo turned down the opportunity to follow in their footsteps, instead choosing to cross the country and attend Duke.

Without any doubt Paolo is the best offensive player of this NBA Draft class: a game creator, true scorer who has a thousand weapons to break into the opposing defense from the wing position, combining great physical strength, exhilarating body and foot control, an excellent skillset and a technical background that allows him a wide range of solutions. The future “azzurro” has an exciting ability to create a shot off the dribble that makes anyone wonders if we’re talking about a very agile or an oversized winger. The variety with which he manages to score and create for others from the medium and short range is incredible and he has showed us how much is working to expand this range of action during the recent games. For the last years, the 2002-born has been putting in a lot of work and attention to his body, resulting in a lack of mobility, agility, and speed. His defensive profile is questionale indeed despite Paolo has natural instinct and feeling for the game.

TEAMS AND THEIR FIT

BANCHERO- UNQUESTIONABLE OFFENSIVE VALUE, WILL HE BE TARGETED FOR MISMATCHES ON THE DEFENSIVE END?

The Magic were able to keep their true intents hidden almost until the very end, which was a complete surprise. Going back in time, Andrea Bargnani was the last player with an Italian passport to be picked first overall in 2006. Orlando has signed the No. 1 offensive prospect which makes Banchero the right size for the Magic, who finished a cycle of NBA choices seeking for potential and technical upside to take on a guy who is already extremely mature.

Paolo is 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds with great passing ability, a fluid shot creation – enough touch to project him as an elite perimeter shooter- and a full bag of tricks in the class. The Duke alumnus is a true mismatch nightmare who will continue to be productive at the NBA level. The main concern with him is his defense, where he lacks speed and quickness. He will be harassed on defense since his first NBA games because to his weak closeouts and questionable moving habits in space. Given his stature, power, and IQ, he has the ability to reach a level where that does not occur.