How Paolo Banchero went from an under-the-radar Metro League recruit to an established pro

It wasn’t long ago that Paolo Banchero was household name in Seattle basketball, forging a dominant senior year for O’Dea high school, averaging 22 points and 7 rebounds his senior year, delivering a state championship to the “O Block” and bringing home the highly coveted Gatorade Player of the Year award.

Since that 2021 season, Paolo made his commitment to Duke University where he put up an average of 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists and led his group to the Final Four. His one and only year at Duke did nothing but boost his NBA Draft stock, positioning him to fit in as the No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft. In the eyes of the Orlando Magic, he was the more complete player of the top 3 options; Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Banchero.

Banchero wasted no time proving Orlando’s front office right, securing the Rookie of the Year Award in 2023, and averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. His size, athleticism and skillset drew comparisons to the likes of Carmelo Anthony, and made him the biggest standout of his class. Just this year, Banchero set a career high in scoring, by dropping 50 points on October 28, vs. the Pacers.

Off-the court, Banchero has secured two major deals with Nike and Gatorade, his marketability is something that makes him attractive to all brands, and will solidify him as a big figure in the sports world.

Banchero cut his teeth in the Metro League, going up against the likes of Eastside Catholic’s Nolan Hickman and Seattle Prep’s Braeden Smith (initially at Colgate, now at Gonzaga) and Garfield’s Koren Johnson (now at University of Washington) and Jaylin Stewart (now at UCONN).

And now? He’s part of a growing group of Seattle-based players making a name for themselves (and the Metro League) on basketball’s biggest stages.