It won't take long for Paolo Banchero to hear his name called in the 2022 NBA Draft.
The No. 2 player in his recruiting class, Banchero shined in his one and only season at Duke. He appeared in 39 games with the Blue Devils and posted averages of 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals on 47.8 percent shooting from the field.
Banchero was a consensus second-team All-American and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year.
TSN's draft expert Kyle Irving has Banchero in the No. 1 spot on his big board, calling him the best player in his draft class. While Banchero isn't expected to be the first overall pick, he's projected to go in the top three.
Why? Not only does he have a polished skill set, but Banchero has the size to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
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How tall is Paulo Banchero?
Banchero doesn't have official measurements because he did not participate in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, but BasketballNews has him listed at 6-10, 250 pounds. That stacks up nicely with some of the players he's most often compared to — Carmelo Anthony (6-7), Glenn Robinson (6-7), Julius Randle (6-8) and John Collins (6-9).
Although viewed mostly as a forward, Banchero's impressive size means he could ultimately evolve into a small-ball center depending on the team and his progress as a defender.
What is Paulo Banchero's wingspan?
BasketballNews unofficially lists Banchero's wingspan at 7-1.
For a 6-10 player, that's not overly impressive. And yet it ranks favorably compared to players like Michael Porter Jr. (7-0), Miles Bridges (6-9), Collins (6-11) and Herb Jones (7-0).
While Banchero perhaps doesn't possess an elite wingspan by any stretch of the imagine, it shouldn't necessarily be an overriding factor that significantly impacts his development.
Paulo Banchero NBA player comparison
TSN's Kyle Irving favors the comparison with New York's Julius Randle.
"If you told any fan of a team that drafts Banchero that he'll someday average 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while also shooting over 40% from the 3-point line, they'd take it in a heartbeat," writes Irving. "Well, that's exactly what Randle did in 2020-21 while carrying the Knicks to the playoffs.
"Banchero's production projects at an All-NBA level. The question becomes whether or not he has the motor and consistency to deliver."
Born on Nov. 12, 2002, Banchero won't turn 20 years old until later this year.
