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The election of Paolo Banchero as number 1
A week ago, the Golden State Warriors champions were crowned NBA. However, the action did not end around the most important basketball league in the world, since this Thursday at the Barclays Centerhome of the Brooklyn Nets, was held on Draft 2022, the lottery where franchises have the opportunity to select the best prospects that come from universities or international basketball. The podium in the previous one was maintained, but the positions changed and the first chosen was Paolo Bancheroa pivot wing of 2.08 meters and 19 years old who was drafted by the Orlando Magic, who won the right to choose first, something that hasn’t happened since 2004, when he selected Dwight Howard.
Banchero was born in Seattle, but his father is of Italian origin, which is why the player has already achieved nationality and confirmed that he will play for the Nazionale at the international level. With an average of 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 33 minutes per game at Duke Universitythe forward led the Blue Devils to a new Final Four appearance in the final season of historic coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The Italian-American he is a very good passer thanks to its technical benefits and it is likely that in the professional game he will have minutes as a forward and be able to add on offense. He shines not only in front of the hoop, but also has great low post work, with metrics that impact the NCAA: he shot 54% from the field on those plays, with very good actions and resources.
Scouts place him as the player who fits perfectly with the current game that the NBA has. With good physical bearing, his height is combined with offensive skills: he has an outstanding mid-range shot that can be managed by himself thanks to his ball handling. Likewise, he is also a great passer beyond his height.
In the aspects to improve is his long-range shot: he finished the season with almost 34 percent behind the 3-point line. He tests very frequently, even on the move and from the dribble. Although he tends, at times, to abuse that required shot on the mark, but in his favor, he converts with good frequency.
But not everything is basketball in his life. He was seen to be very committed to the fight against racism and in May 2020 he participated in the marches that repudiated the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man who died during an arrest after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck. The movement Black Lives Matter (Black Lives Matter Too) spread in various parts of the world despite lockdowns at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, he likes other sports like formula 1 and was present at Miami Grand Prix last month in the race he won Max Verstappen. On his Instagram account, she also posted a photo next to a Red Bull car. He has a star future and perhaps in the coming years it will be the Máxima pilots who will see him play Banchero.
The podium.
In the previous Banchero was third among the favorites, although later he saw them all from above. Chet Holmgren remained in second place and was chosen by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is another internal player (he is 2.13 meters) who stands out for his shooting ability, his good handling of the ball on the perimeter and his possibilities in defense as an expert in covers. A native of Minneapolis, he was considered by many to be the best prospect in the country after high school until he landed at Gonzaga University.
Holmgren has already excelled in international basketball by being chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the 2021 FIBA U19 World Championship, which was won by the United States with an average of 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks.
Already in his only season in the NCAA tournament, he closed with 14 points, almost 10 rebounds and 4 blocks per game, which led him to win the title of Defensive Player of the WCC (West Coast Conference) and the honors of be part of the All-American second team of the year. What is his biggest deficit on the eve of his arrival in the NBA? His physique, which despite his height, should strengthen his muscular capacity.
As long as Jabari Smith Jr.who in was the eventual number one, completed the podium and was selected by the Houston Rockets. This 18-year-old, who measures 2.08 meters, has the perfect combo to play in the new NBA, where inside players need a good outside shot to stand out. Based on pre-lottery analysis, Smith has the size, arm length and shooting range to become an elite shooter. Plus, he has the versatility on defense to become a star on both ends of the floor.
Jabari is the son of a former NBA. His father, who bears the same name, played five seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2000. In his only season with the Auburn Tigers, Smith Jr. became the top prospect to sign the program and led his team to be the top seed in the NCAA, before losing in the Sweet 16.
His statistics mark his wide repertoire: he averaged almost 17 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists with a field percentage of 43% in almost 29 minutes of play.
Who completed the top ten.
Number 4 is Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings).
Number 5 is Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons).
Number 6 is Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers).
Number 7 is Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers).
Number 8 is Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans).
Number 9 is Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs).
Number 10 is Johnny Davis (Washington Wizards).
The future has already arrived in the NBA and on Thursday night their teams selected their promises a total of 60 players who were incorporated. The moment of truth for all of them will come with the 2022/2023 season and they will have to ratify their conditions. For now, they have made the big leap of entering the most important basketball league in the world.
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