2021 five-star forward Paolo Banchero cuts list to six, includes Kentucky

Kentucky’s top recruiting target in the class of 2021 is down to six schools, and the Wildcats remain in contention.

Paolo Banchero, the No. 4 prospect in the 2021 247Sports Composite Rankings, announced a final six of Kentucky, Washington, Gonzaga, Arizona, Tennessee, and Duke.

After cutting his list to six, the 6-foot-10 forward out of Seattle, WA broke down the finalists with Evan Daniels of 247Sports, saying Kentucky could help him fulfill his “goal and dream of being a lottery pick, top five pick.”

“Coach [John Calipari], coach [Tony] Barbee, coach [Kenny] Payne, their resume speaks for itself especially when it comes to my position that count as big, they go pro and be All-Stars and have great college careers,” Banchero said. “Their pitch to me has always been come in and be the next one, let me play my game, do it all, make plays with the ball in my hands and stuff like that and the big stage will help me fulfill my goal and dream of being a lottery pick, top five pick.”

Back in September, Banchero joined KSR’s Sources Say Podcast, where he broke down his interest in Kentucky and John Calipari’s pitch to him.

“He’s just telling me that he doesn’t see me as a big man or a center or a power forward or anything like that. [Calipari] just sees me as a basketball player,” Banchero told KSR. “After watching me play, he was impressed by not necessarily how I can play one-through-five, but how I can handle the ball, pass the ball, all that stuff. He knows he has the ability to put me all over the floor, just be a basketball player. He’s honest with me about everything, he doesn’t say anything that is too good to be true. He tells me if I do come there it will be a challenge, it will be hard, but he’ll get the best out of me and turn me into a great pro hopefully. That’s his pitch.”

Drawing comparisons to former Kentucky star PJ Washington, Banchero is considered one of the best low-post talents in high school basketball. With polished offensive moves, high basketball IQ, and range out to the perimeter, the five-star forward is expected to be an immediate star at the next level. In fact, one source within the Kentucky basketball program told KSR that Banchero would have likely started on last year’s team, despite having two full years of high school left at the time and one year remaining now.

When might a commitment come? Banchero told 247Sports that he is currently planning on making an announcement next spring.

“I would say that it all depends,” Banchero told Daniels. “I don’t see myself committing in the fall and I won’t commit during the season because I want to focus on my season so maybe something happens and I commit in the fall but if not then after the season. So anywhere from March to this time next year.”

While we count down to Banchero’s decision, check out his impressive junior-year highlights below:

Come on down.