Appointment with history tonight for Paolo Banchero – on the court as a protagonist in the eternal rivalry between Duke and North Carolina who will experience one of his most important moments with the head to head in the NCAA semifinal (never before in the history of college basketball). An ideal stage for the Italian talent, a way to gain confidence and further attention from the NBA world
Much, if not all, depends on what happens next May 17th, but in anticipation of the Lottery Paolo Banchero has already achieved a first fundamental milestone in view of his now obvious arrival in the NBA in a few months (unlike the various Chet Holmgren and other prospects who like him aim for the first call to the 2022 Draft): he took the opportunity to play as a star on college basketball’s premier stage – the NCAA Final Four. Not only that: the Italian passport talent is one of the players to follow in the eternal challenge between Duke and North Carolina, which will live off an appointment that has been awaited for decades. An unprecedented challenge despite the 257 precedents that make the head-to-head between the two universities the most heartfelt rivalry of college-level basketball in the USA: the two teams had never played against each other in a semi-final of the NCAA tournament . All this, if this were not enough to make a game full of pressures epic, taking into account the fact that for coach K – Duke’s historic coach at the end of his 42nd season as manager of the Blue Devils – it could be the last game in his career as a manager. A novel appointment that Banchero intends to exploit to obtain its definitive consecration.
“Savant” playmaker: wisdom that goes hand in hand with personal growth
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Banchero satisfied: it will be Duke-North Carolina
The role as primary ball carrier that coach K reserved for him in this final phase of the season allowed Duke to conquer the semifinals with merit: Banchero knows how to create his shot from the dribble and above all improves his teammates, two fundamental characteristics for those who aim. to affect even in the NBA. He averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds and 3.8 assists in the NCAA tournament they only partially tell the impact of a player in continuous growth in terms of readings and rhythm, in addition to the fact that Banchero manages to attack the basket in any situation and challenging any type of defense (without losing the vision of the game). “Savant” point guard is one of the most used terms: wise, regardless of the smudges that inevitably still dot his game. An innate gift, but on which Banchero is proving to work: from October to today, progress is evident and the ability to have “margin” is another of the aspects most dear to the NBA.
Jumper and above all defense: the aspects to improve
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Banchero makes another 16, Duke flies to the Final Four
Another aspect that could allow him to climb positions in the Draft to the top: the jumper. During the season he travels with 43% from two points on the kind of conclusions that becomes 33% when he puts his feet over the arch. Numbers at the limit, considering that in the NBA the distance becomes greater, even if the strength (for now) lies in the fact that the greater pressures of the NCAA tournament have not reduced its effectiveness. In some situations, when it mattered most, the shot went inside – and these things matter and weigh more than percentages. What is worrying at the moment is above all the defense: his work on the weak side is bad, as well as the concentration to be maintained throughout the entire possession. In general, when it comes to protecting iron, the instincts that offensively make it the most intriguing prospect of the entire Draft seem to fail. Land physical skills to change on the blocks and be versatile are there, as well as the opportunity to literally change the world that will be watching him on the pitch at the NCAA Final Four. All that remains is to get comfortable and understand if and how Banchero will be able to conquer even the few remaining skeptics.
