Finding your feet in the NBA is often a task that takes some time for young players. Of course, there are the rare exceptions to the rule who take to the league like a fish in water. Paolo Banchero finds himself right in the middle of that conversation of studs.
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The #1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft has started off on a tear. At the time of writing, Banchero averages almost 22 points a game and recently led the Magic on a winning streak.
Also read: Paolo Banchero is Scoring Better Than Rookie Michael Jordan!
However, Banchero wasn’t always touted to be the star he appears to be looking like now. All around the board, leading up to the draft process, the Italian star was not projected as the #1 pick. Paolo was often listed in the third position on draft boards.
Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren were often ranked above Banchero. Some questions about his defense even prompted questions of a further drop.
And it appears that this fueled a drive in Banchero that he hadn’t previously channeled. The star recently admitted how being underrated in comparison to his peers motivated him.
How did Paolo Banchero describe the inspiration he drew from never being #1
When asked about the pressure of being the #1 pick and the effects of possible complacency with that hype, Banchero reminded JJ Redick how he wasn’t a consensus pick. None of the draft boards held Paolo as a consensus pick. And Banchero kept his receipts.
When asked about how he stays motivated and away from complacency which flows from reputation, Banchero brought up how he wasn’t always favored by experts.
“I just have a way of always thinking somebody is sliding me somehow. I’ll look for it somewhere. Coming out of High School I was ranked Top five, Top three, I was never number one. Never got put in that number-one spot” spoke Banchero about rankings over his life.
“That kind of messed with me because I always felt like I was doing what I needed to do but it just felt like it was never enough. And then came college. Early in college, there was some buzz I go number one but then the majority knocked me down to number three” described the Magic star about the build-up to his draft.
The critics have been temporarily silenced by his performances though.
Who were the other prospects touted to oust Banchero’s #1 spot in the NBA draft?
Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, and Paolo Banchero, (the occasional Jaden Ivey shout-aside) were the top three prospects identified ahead of the draft. While all four haven’t quite had “bust” label calls yet but only Banchero stands out as a star yet.
In Holmgren’s case, injury is to blame for the star not having taken to the NBA yet. Ivey and Smith have been inconsistent in their performances in tanking teams. Banchero, however, seems to be bucking the trend and has been the star of his Magic team.
The Orlando Magic have made for great entertainment and Banchero’s bully ball has been the major highlight. Smith and Ivey have shown promise too, no doubt. But the all-star ceiling projected hasn’t been at full display quite yet.
Also read: Orlando Magic Big Paolo Banchero Joins a “lean and mean” Shaquille O’Neal on This Elusive List
