In the last few hours there is nothing but talk of him, Paolo Banchero, a young basketball star, who surprised everyone on his NCAA debut, with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals, despite a slight injury.
A debut that also struck the Italian public who already dreams of seeing this young star of the ball in wedges on the pitch with the Italian national team. Yes, because Paolo Banchero has Italian nationality and could join the Azzurri in the future, perhaps at the next Olympic Games. But let’s not go too far, let’s focus on this very young talent.
Banchero dragged Duke to success, in the match against Kentucky, immediately ending up in the spotlight: he is the possible first choice of the next NBA Draft.
2.08 meters high, Banchero, for its height and its 113 kg, stands out first of all for its majestic physique, but it is not only this. The young basketball player is in fact very agile, knows how to move smoothly around the perimeter and knows how to be dominant within the area. Physical and athletic, Banchero knows how to be fast and decisive even in defense, thanks to his instinct, long arms and reactivity: he is a versatile player, of that versatility that the NBA so much likes.
“I am versatile. There is nothing it can’t do“, Said Banchero himself when asked about his skills. “I’ve been going to the gym every day since I was a kid, so it’s nothing new to me. The work that is done every day is what I have been doing since I was a kid“, Explained after his arrival at Duke the young athlete who is inspired by LeBron James even if he recognizes that he does not have the same qualities as him.
The family inheritance and the Italian passport
Banchero started playing basketball at an early age thanks to the great passion transmitted by his mother. Paolo, who has a younger brother and sister, is the son of Mario Banchero and Rhonda Smith, who met when they were both enrolled in the Pac-12 institute: he was a tight end for Husky’s football team, while she has behind a career in basketball with 2,948 points scored and 803 rebounds in college and was close to becoming Washington’s first WNBA player.
Paolo also played football and it is from this sport that he learned to get up: “football has been my favorite sport for a long time“.
Mom Rhonda, former coach, has directed Paolo Banchero on the right path to become a true champion. “She has always been the one who has always been there to humiliate me. Never too high, never too low. If I ever had a good game, he would always give me things I had to work on even if I had a good game. Growing up, he still criticizes me on many things, so he will always be there “, explained the young star … Italian.
Italian, yes! Banchero was born in Seattle, but his great-grandparents were Italian: the Italian Federation started courting Paolo years ago and thanks to FIP consultant Rick Fois, the young basketball player was convinced to play with the Italian national team, even if he has not yet had way to make his debut in blue. Last June Banchero received an Italian passport, but due to Covid he had to postpone his trip to Italy that he had planned with his father Mario. Now, many dream of a fabulous Italy Team, already in view of Paris 2024, with many promising young people such as Banchero, Mannion and Pajola.
Origins, the Italian ones, which the Banchero family has decided to honor, transforming them into… work. Mondo Banchero, in fact, arrived in America from Genoa and started a meat company “Mondo & Sons”, and so his son later became “branched out and started its own in Ranier Valley (Seattle). And now my husband and his brother own the family business which is based in Tukwila (WA)“, Explained Paolo’s aunt in a post on social media
NBA 2K22
Paolo Banchero is already a record: the young Italian-American basketball player made history by being the first basketball player in the collage to appear in an NBA 2K game, after being included in NBA 2L22. Paolo Banchero has become the first ever true college player that NBA 2K22 players will be able to play with.
