Paolo Banchero signs with Jordan Brand

When you woke up on the morning of draft day in June, what team did you think you were going to? Paolo Banchero: By that time I was still a little unsure. I didn’t know if I was going 1, 2 or 3. A week before the draft, I was pretty set that I was going where I was projected to go, which was probably third, and then maybe three days before the draft all the stuff started happening with the odds. The odds went way down and it was in my favor all of a sudden. So then I’m like, “OK, maybe I’m not going 3.” -via marcstein.substack.com / October 16, 2022

Who were the players you studied the most or maybe just your favorite players? Paolo Banchero: LeBron [James] and Carmelo [Anthony], growing up, were by far my two favorites like my whole childhood. And then as I got older I started to know about Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum — dynamic forwards who are able to play inside or outside. But then I also want to have my own style of play with my own flair. I’m just trying to be myself. -via marcstein.substack.com / October 16, 2022

Is playing internationally for Italy still in your plans? Paolo Banchero: There’s a pretty good chance that I’m going to play with the Italian team. I wouldn’t say it’s 100%, but it’s a pretty good chance. -via marcstein.substack.com / October 16, 2022