Remember the 2022 NBA Draft? Jabari Smith was seen as the likely #1 pick for a while. There were some who thought it might be Chet Holmgren. When Paolo Banchero emerged as the likely #1 pick, it surprised a lot of people. But Orlando was pretty farsighted and the pick has paid off.
And on Monday night, Banchero had a monster performance that hints at where his ceiling might be.
He finished with 50 points – 37 in the first half – 13 rebounds, nine assists , two blocks and a steal.
Banchero shot 16-26 and 3-9 from behind the line. How do you know a team can’t stop somebody? When they send him to the line 22 times (Banchero hit 15 of the 22).
It was a tremendous performance and keep in mind that young Banchero is not quite 22. If his health keeps up, he’s going to be killing the league for a decade or more. What a night for the former Blue Devil.
