John Calipari on Paolo Banchero: "He will be a challenge."

It’s no secret John Calipari wanted Paolo Banchero to sign with Kentucky out of high school. He was inarguably UK’s top frontcourt target in the class from the start, extending a scholarship to the 6-foot-10 forward back in June 2019. From there, the in-person contact ramped up, with Calipari visiting him on Sept. 11, Tony Barbee visiting on Oct. 2, Banchero taking an official on Oct. 11, Barbee visiting again Dec. 6, and Calipari making another trip to see him on Feb. 12, 2020.

When COVID-19 shut down in-person recruiting in the spring, Calipari then conducted back-to-back virtual visits with Banchero on April 15 and May 31.

Potential recruit turned rival

Kentucky’s recruiting efforts would come up short, with Banchero committing to Duke on Aug. 20, choosing the Blue Devils over Arizona, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Washington. Now, the former consensus top-three recruit in the class of 2021 will be taking on Calipari and the Wildcats to open up the college basketball season in the Champions Classic.

“He’s a skilled passer, scorer,” Calipari said of Banchero on Monday. “He’s a terrific player and a great kid from a great family.”

Standing 6-foot-10, 250-pounds, he’s a do-it-all threat from inside and out. He’s strong and polished in the paint, but also skilled and smooth with the ball in his hands on the perimeter. He’s growing as a shooter, too.

A connection with TyTy Washington

Those that know him — Kentucky guard TyTy Washington being one example — understand the kind of impact he can make on a game.

“I know (him) pretty well. Me and Paolo kind of grew up together on the West Coast playing basketball through the AAU scene,” Washington said of Banchero. “… He’s good. He’s big and very skilled.”

Kentucky is anchored by 6-foot-9, 255-pound center Oscar Tshiebwe in the frontcourt, with Daimion Collins (6-foot-9, 202 pounds) and Lance Ware (6-foot-9, 225 pounds) being the other center options. At the four, UK also has Keion Brooks Jr. (6-foot-7, 210 pounds), Jacob Toppin (6-foot-9, 200 pounds) and Bryce Hopkins (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) to throw at Banchero.

They may not all have the size, but they’ve got the speed and athleticism to compete. And he’s got to play defense, too.

“The biggest thing is he’s got size and girth. He’s 250 pounds,” Calipari said of Banchero. “So, our four men are not that big, but they’re quick and athletic and he’s got to guard them too, now.”

A clear challenge

UK’s got some pieces, but make no mistake about it, Banchero will be a handful for the Wildcats on Tuesday. There’s a reason he was named ACC Preseason Player of the Year and a preseason All-American.

“He will be a challenge,” said Calipari. “But he’s going to be a challenge for everybody all year.”

Kentucky will take on that challenge when the team faces off against Duke in the Champions Classic Tuesday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York City.