2022 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Who will shine during March Madness?

Paolo Banchero is an extremely skilled big man with great physical tools, a fluid and powerful, 6-foot-10 big who can pass, handle the ball and attack from almost anywhere inside the arc. He’s proven to be a reliable mid-range shooter, a viable offensive hub from the elbows and someone who can punish smaller players in the post. At Duke this season, he’s averaged 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 53.0 percent on 2-pointers. However, there are some limitations in his game that may lower his ceiling at the next level.

At this point, Banchero is not a reliable 3-point shooter which condenses his strengths to a smaller area of the floor. He’s also not an explosive athlete and some of the physical advantages he’s been able to leverage at Duke may not translate quite as well to the next level. In addition, he doesn’t offer a ton at the defensive end right now and because he’s not a natural rim protector may have to play in some awkward frontcourt pairings. However, his skill level is significant and he could form an incredibly potent pick-and-roll combination with Cade Cunningham.