PAOLO BANCHERO (ORL)
#5•PAOLO
PF • 6’10, 250 lbs; 3rd year, Duke
TOP DOG
NBA ROLE: SKILLED, NEW WAVE GO-TO SCORER
Seattle-bred Paolo Banchero is a new wave, hybrid forward w/ a naturally effective disposition to all aspects of his game; (extremely) advanced ball-handler for his size, can create shots after chaining together bounces, looks to either rise up for a J or get to the cup for an easy finish (able to convert w/ either hand, unbothered by a challenging defender at the basket; hyper-aggressive offensively: Paolo can carry a bulk of Orlando’s offense when the action gets stagnant; possesses great touch from the floor: Banchero likes to spin and score around the defense, can pivot into various hooks & turnaround Js inside the arc; very good rebounder, makes a point to end plays by securing the rock and leading his own charge down the floor; underrated passer, though needs to work on decision-making when in “scoring mode” (can get tunnel vision); solid defender, will need to use physicality and athleticism to experience long-term effectiveness checking both forward spots; encouraging signs as an outside shooter (can get his shot off in multiple ways), must value shot selection as a #1 option; 2024 All-Star: Banchero’s emphatically taken hold as the Magic’s top scorer & primary offensive threat: became ORL’s Undisputed Franchise Player in Year 2 - can the Magic contend in 2025?
*just facts though…
MAGIC UNDISPUTED FRANCHISE PLAYER
SIGNATURE! COMING SOON.
#DOGTAGS: TOP DOG, UNDISPUTED FRANCHISE PLAYER,
ALL-STAR, BUCKET-GETTER, DIMER
MORE ON PAOLO
NBA All-Star (2024)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2023)
Consensus Second Team All-American (2022)
ACC Rookie of the Year (2022)
First Team All-ACC (2022)
McDonald’s All-American (2021)
Son of former WNBA vet, Rhonda Smith
(FACTORY SETTING) NBA 2K25 RATING: 89