Jay Bilas explains the NBA Draft projection for Paolo Banchero

ESPN analyst and Duke alumnus Jay Bilas is a big believer in Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero was one of the best players in college basketball this past season, helping lead Duke to the Final Four.

He made the decision to enter the NBA after just one season and is expected to be a lottery pick. The forward is projected at the No. 3 pick in most mock drafts, but Bilas believes that has more to do with the strength of the class.

“Paolo Banchero is worthy of the No. 1 pick in a lot of years, just not this one,” Jay Bilas said. “Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren are valued a little bit more, but I think you nailed it. Physically, he’s ready. Especially on the offensive end right now. At 6-10 and close to 260 pounds, he’s really powerful. Very skilled and can operate in isolation whether it’s the low post. He’s actually an underrated passer. The defensive end he wasn’t as focused. He’s not a shot blocker, but he rebounds at a really high rate and can run the floor. He’s got everything you want and I can’t imagine if you see Holmgren and Smith go 1-2 in whatever order that Banchero is not the obvious next choice.”

Banchero led Duke in both scoring and rebounding this past season with 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also tied for second on the team with 3.2 assists. That kind of production indicates he should be ready to make an impact right away at the next level.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has Banchero going third overall to the Houston Rockets in his latest mock, though that could certainly be different come draft night Thursday. Compared to a prospect like Holmgren, who weighs under 200 pounds despite being 7 feet tall, Banchero might be considered more “NBA-ready.” Holmgren still offers perhaps the most potential for improvement of any player in the class, and Givony has him going No. 2 overall to Oklahoma City. He has Smith going No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic.

Wherever Banchero ends up though, he should have a bright future. The 2022 NBA Draft will start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.