Duke basketball freshman reveals hypothetical commitment

Duke basketball freshman Paolo Banchero revealed his commitment had he not played basketball. 

When Paolo Banchero committed to the Duke basketball program, it came as a surprise in both the timing of his announcement and where he selected to play his one collegiate season.

While the Blue Devils were in his finalists of schools, many thought his recruiting race would come down to either Kentucky, Tennessee, or Washington before he announced he would be making the trip to Durham to play under Mike Krzyzewski.

However, as Banchero enters Durham as a five-star prospect and the No. 2 player in the Class of 2021, according to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, he also had the makings of a college football quarterback had he opted to play football over basketball in high school.

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As a freshman at O’Dea High School (Wash.), Banchero showed the poise, athleticism, and arm talent to thrive at the next level, but the then 6-foot-8 youngster hung up the pads in exchange for full-time basketball sneakers.

In a social media Q&A, the Duke freshman was asked where he would have committed to college had he opted for football over basketball, and his answer was pretty resounding: The Ohio State University.

https://twitter.com/Pp_doesit/status/1409275121018212353?s=20

The Buckeyes showed interest in Banchero as a basketball prospect, but the program never officially offered him a scholarship.

Duke basketball freshman gets a chance to show Buckeyes what they are missing

Ironically enough, one day after Paolo Banchero said where he would have attended had he played football, the ACC and Big Ten announced the pairings for the annual ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge, and Duke will be traveling to Ohio State this year.

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Now, there is probably no animosity between Banchero and the Buckeyes given that Ohio State was never a viable option for him to play basketball, but the 6-foot-10 forward does get to briefly step on the campus of one of his dream schools.

Duke and Ohio State will play in Mike Krzyzewski’s last ACC vs. Big Ten Challenge on Tuesday, November 30.