Duke Star Paolo Banchero To Enter NBA Draft, Forgo NCAA Eligibility

DURHAM, NC — Duke freshman basketball star Paolo Banchero declared for the 2022 NBA Draft in a video posted to social media Wednesday.

The one-and-done phenom led Duke during the 2021-2022 NCAA men's basketball season with 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He helped the Blue Devils claim the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season championship and reach the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play at Duke and always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA," Banchero said in the video. "Duke has prepared me for that on and off the court. ... It has been a great journey, and I'm blessed to be part of the brotherhood for life."

Banchero, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward, is projected to be a high lottery pick in the draft with a shot at the top overall pick. Most national media outlets are projecting him to be a top-three selection along with Auburn's Jabari Smith and Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren.

Banchero solidified a high draft position during March Madness, in which he averaged 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 52.6 percent from 3-point range over five NCAA tournament games. He scored 20 points and recorded 10 rebounds and two blocks in a season-ending 81-77 loss to rival North Carolina in Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's final game.

With the NBA's draft order yet to be finalized by the draft lottery, CBS Sports' Kyle Boone has Banchero going second overall to the Orlando Magic in his latest mock draft, praising his well-rounded game."

"After growing up as a guard and sprouting to 6-10, [Banchero's] appeal lies in his offensive versatility as a scoring forward who can make good passing reads to boot," Boone said.