Duke forward Paolo Banchero declares for 2022 NBA Draft
Posted April 20, 2022 4:06 p.m. EDT
Updated April 20, 2022 7:31 p.m. EDT
Duke forward Paolo Banchero has decided to enter the 2022 NBA Draft.
Banchero made the announcement in a 1-minute, 44-second video posted to his Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon.
“Coach K, it was an honor to be part of your final season,” Banchero said. “Thank you for pushing me every single day [and] expecting nothing but the best out of me.”
Banchero, 19, also thanked his Duke teammates and new head coach Jon Scheyer.
"Playing on some of the biggest stages in front of the best fans in the world with my brothers, I couldn't ask for anything more," Banchero said. "It was really a blessing.”
Banchero intends to hire an agent, according to a news release issued by Duke.
"It has always been a dream of mine to play at Duke, and it has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA," Banchero said. "Duke has prepared me for that on and off the court."
In Banchero’s lone season at Duke, led all true freshmen nationally in scoring at 17.2 points per game while ranking sixth among true freshmen in rebounding (7.8) and fifth in field goal percentage (.478). Banchero helped lead Duke to the Final Four in the 2021-2022 season.
"Paolo had a truly incredible season and is absolutely ready to attack the next phase of his playing career," said former head coach Mike Krzyzewski in the release. "He put up remarkable numbers and won awards, but he always put the team first.
"Paolo is a great leader in that regard and someone all of our players admired, even though he was just a freshman. He is so dynamic, explosive and versatile – a model player in today's NBA game. He did whatever we asked at a very high level. I loved having him and his family in our program and wish him all the best as his professional career begins."
Banchero's 12 double-doubles and 15 games of 20+ points were each the most by a power conference true freshman. With selections to the AP, NABC, Sporting News and USBWA All-America Teams, Banchero became the 33rd player in Duke history to earn consensus All-America status.
Banchero’s announcement comes after Blue Devils center Mark Williams announced Monday that he will also enter the 2022 NBA Draft.
Freshman forward AJ Griffin has yet to announce whether he plans to enter the draft or return for what would be his sophomore season. College players and international early entrants have until the end of the day on April 24 to submit their names into the 2022 NBA Draft pool. The draft is set for June 23.
Earlier this month, ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz projected Banchero as the No. 3 overall pick to the Detroit Pistons, Griffin as the No. 8 overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans (from the Los Angeles Lakers) and Williams as the No. 11 overall pick to the Portland Trail Blazers (from the Pelicans).
