When the 2021 rookies have just completed half of the NBA season experience, and are still nervous and excited to accept the harsh judgment of the media and fans, some news of the 2022 draft flows from time to time, and also gives people from all walks of life a preliminary understanding of the young talents who will enter the NBA this year. Attribution is naturally a hot topic, and Paolo Banchero, who has dual Italian and American citizenship, is gaining more and more attention.
Bancello is unique, and this comes first and foremost from his family. His father, Mario Bancello, and his uncle were both part of the University of Washington men's football team. Bancello inherited his father's bloodline and officially accepted Italian citizenship in February 2020 and played internationally for the Italian men's basketball team.
Banchero's mother, Rhonda, was also a member of the University of Washington in her early years, but she played for the school's women's basketball team. When she left the school, Rhonda was the school's all-time top scorer in women's basketball history, competing in the 2000 WNBA Draft and winning the draft. But she later mixed in the secondary leagues, went to overseas leagues to pan for gold, and is now the women's basketball coach of seattle Sacred Name College.
Although working on different sports at the University of Washington, this did not prevent Mario and Rhonda from falling in love. Eventually, Paul became the crystallization of the couple's love. Paul was born in Seattle on November 12, 2002. The father gave his son a good body (2.08 meters tall and weighed 113 kilograms), and the mother taught his son basketball skills, which is undoubtedly of great significance to Paul's future development.
Under the influence of his parents, Bancello also became an athlete. At just 15 months old, Bancello reached a height of 0.91 meters. As a child, Bancello had a wide range of interests, including basketball, rugby and athletics.
Later, at the Boys and Girls Club in Rotary, Seattle, Banchero continued to play basketball inspired by his mother and jumped to 1.96 meters tall. With his outstanding physique, Bancello has been named to the 50 8th graders in the United States in basketball and football.
Next, Bancello attended Odia High School in Seattle. He initially became a substitute quarterback for the school's football team, and was also named to the basketball varsity team, where he won the Washington State Championship with each team.
In the school basketball team, In the first season of high school, Bancello averaged two double-doubles per game (14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds), in the second season of high school, he led the team to win the state championship and was also elected MVP; in the third season of high school, he led the team to the state championship, and with 22.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 blocks, he was named the best high school student in Washington State and the best high school third player in the United States, and was invited to participate in the McDonald's All-American Star Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
There is no doubt that Bancello was named a five-star high school student and is considered one of the top high school students in the class of 2021. Invitations to prestigious universities are pouring in, with the University of Kentucky, the University of Tennessee and the University of Washington all being considered popular candidates. But in the end, Bancello unexpectedly chose Duke University to become a member of the "Blue Devils". He also became the second national TOP10 high school student to join Duke in 2021, followed by AJ Griffin, who ranked No. 9.
Before Bancello put on the Duke jersey, NBA draft expert Kevin Flaherty predicted that he was expected to become the best freshman and succeed in the NBA in the future. When Coach Duke talked about how to coach Bancello, he said that he would do the same as he had previously coached Zion.
Bancello didn't disappoint people's expectations either. On Duke's debut, he scored 22 points to lead the team to a victory over Kentucky. Soon after, he was named the ACC Week's Best Freshman of the Week. In a 107-81 victory over Citadel University on Nov. 23, Bancello scored 28 points and eight rebounds.
When Bancelot is mentioned today, it is natural to mention his rivalry with Chet Holmgren. The duo were so popular that their first showdown at the NCAA sold out early on.
Born on 1 May 2002, Homegren is 2.13 meters tall, weighs 88 kilograms, plays as a center forward, and is now studying at The University of Gonzaga. In high school, he also had a brilliant resume, being elected the best high school student in the United States, being selected to the Best Team in the United States, and being elected mr. Basketball of Minnesota, and leading the U-19 World Cup gold medal to the U-19 Men's Basketball Team and being elected MVP. In his senior season, Homegren averaged 21 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.
Homegren is credited with the capital to become a great contemporary center forward. He can pull open the space to protect the frame, can assist in defense, has excellent ball control and running and jumping ability in the same position, can launch attacks from high positions, and can also cut in the air. His template was set as Durant.
The concern for Homegren is that his body is too thin and difficult to gain weight, and his ability to fight is insufficient. In contrast, Banchero is a combination of strength and skill, that is, excellent combat strength, sophisticated ball style, strong body, both a low-level killer and a certain range, but also can be coordinated, but the arm span is not outstanding (2.15 meters), the explosive force and speed are flat. His templates are numerous, with Brand, Boozer, Wendell Carter Jr. and Jabari Parker all mentioned.
It is reported that there have been NBA scouts who have given a wake-up call to teams that do not know how to choose: if they need immediate combat power, Bancello can immediately put on the team; but if the 5-year period is restructured, Homegren's development prospects are more promising.
Now we've stepped into 2022. I believe that it will not be long before Banchero, Homegren and other names that seem unfamiliar will always haunt our ears until they become the strangers we are most familiar with. (Supine Braces/Hairy)