WATCH: Paolo Banchero reacts after monster putback dunk from Dereck Lively II
Last year Paolo Banchero was the Duke freshman phenom who wowed college basketball fans, but that title belonged to Dereck Lively II on Saturday. The Blue Devils big man was an instrumental part of a 63-57 win against rival North Carolina, finishing with four points, 14 rebounds and an astounding eight blocks.
Although Lively didn’t score much, one of his two field goals happened to be perhaps the biggest play of the game. With things tied up at 57 and under two minutes remaining, the seven-footer threw down a ferocious putback dunk that sparked a 6-0 Duke run to end the game.
Banchero was in attendance to witness the dunk and had an emphatic reaction, which you can view below.
Lively ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2022 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He has made an immediate impact this season, making 14 starts and averaging 4.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and two blocks across 16.6 minutes.
Saturday marked a season-high for Lively in both rebounds and blocks. It was the third time in the past five games he has recorded double digit rebounds. He also has at least three blocks in four of the past five games.
Paolo Banchero and the rest of Duke faithful have to be excited about the progress Dereck Lively has showed of late, and will hope he can keep it up to close the regular season. The Blue Devils will next face Miami at 7 p.m. ET Monday on the road.