By ADAM ZAGORIA
Two weeks after announcing his presence to the college basketball world with an impressive performance against Kentucky at Madison Square Garden, Duke freshman Paolo Banchero helped solidify his status as the presumed No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft with another breakout performance against No. 1-ranked Gonzaga in Las Vegas.
“He will be No. 1 [because of] his size, strength and ability to score at all 3 levels,” one of the 60 NBA GMs and scouts said after Banchero’s performance Friday night in No. 5 Duke’s 84-81 win over the Bulldogs.
In going for 21 points, five rebounds and two assists while battling cramps in the second half, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Seattle native displayed his full arsenal. He pulled up for jump shots in transition, drained 3-pointers (making 3-of-8) and bullied his way past the 7-foot-1, 195-pound Holmgren for baskets.
“It was Paolo Banchero and it really wasn’t even close. He looked like the No. 1 pick today,” ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz said on air after the game.
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