Duke basketball: Paolo Banchero stuns three-time NBA All-Star
Former Duke basketball star Paolo Banchero looks ready for the NBA.
It did not take long for Paolo Banchero to prove he was ready for the NBA during the Las Vegas Summer League and now the Duke basketball star is taking a step up in competition.
Videos emerged of Banchero playing against several established NBA players in New York City, most notably Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell, and doing more than holding his own.
The former Blue Devil was seen scoring on Mitchell on multiple possession and leaving the three-time All-Star befuddled at the strength and basketball prowess of the most recent No. 1 overall pick of the Orlando Magic.
Paolo Banchero was cooking Donavan Mitchell 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gmJ2zeMazE
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) July 21, 2022
Banchero averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during his only season in Durham as the Seattle, Washington native was named as the ACC Freshman of the Year as well as a consensus Second Team All-American.
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The Magic only allowed its top pick to play in two Summer League games in which the 6-foot-10 forward dominated with 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest.
Duke basketball star welcomed to NBA by All-Star
Donovan Mitchell also welcomed Paolo Banchero to the league in an open run as the explosive guard has some trick up his sleeve for the rookie.
Mitchell hit Banchero with a quick crossover and two-hand dunk in the scrimmage.
Donovan Mitchell is playing pickup in NYC today at trainer Chris Brinkley’s Black Op runs.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 19, 2022
Here he crosses up and dunks on Paolo Banchero - and damn near breaks the basket stanchion in the process. pic.twitter.com/EclxU9l6E3
Donovan Mitchell has been at the center of blockbuster trade rumors as the Jazz could be looking to rebuild its organization after the resignation of head coach Quin Snyder and trading star center Rudy Gobert this offseason.
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Mitchell has been linked to the New York Knicks and Miami Heat after averaging over 20.0 points per game in each of his first five NBA seasons.
It’s still unknown when Paolo Banchero will officially make his NBA debut but more highlights are certainly not far away from the former Blue Devil.
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