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LOOK: Paolo Banchero shows off serious bling with NBA Draft suit

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•06/23/22•

BarkleyTruax

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Former Duke star and presumptive top-three selection Paolo Banchero showed off his decorative suit ahead the 2022 NBA Draft. Have Banchero take you through his outfit below.

Banchero led Duke in both scoring and rebounding this past season with 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also tied for second on the team with 3.2 assists. That kind of production indicates he should be ready to make an impact right away at the next level.

Thursday morning, Banchero become the betting favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, according to the Action Network. The new odds saw him go from a +1600 underdog, to -200 in less than a week, which is contrary to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that former Auburn forward Jabari Smith is expected to be the first pick.

The 2022 NBA Draft is set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Jay Bilas explains the NBA Draft projection for Paolo Banchero

ESPN analyst and Duke alumnus Jay Bilas is a big believer in Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero was one of the best players in college basketball this past season, helping lead Duke to the Final Four. 

He made the decision to enter the NBA after just one season and is expected to be a lottery pick. The forward is projected at the No. 3 pick in most mock drafts, but Bilas believes that has more to do with the strength of the class.

“Paolo Banchero is worthy of the No. 1 pick in a lot of years, just not this one,” Jay Bilas said. “Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren are valued a little bit more, but I think you nailed it. Physically, he’s ready. Especially on the offensive end right now. At 6-10 and close to 260 pounds, he’s really powerful. Very skilled and can operate in isolation whether it’s the low post. He’s actually an underrated passer. The defensive end he wasn’t as focused. He’s not a shot blocker, but he rebounds at a really high rate and can run the floor. He’s got everything you want and I can’t imagine if you see Holmgren and Smith go 1-2 in whatever order that Banchero is not the obvious next choice.”