Paolo Banchero names his 'Welcome to the NBA' moment / News - Basketnews.com

Paolo Banchero says that playing against Kevin Durant was his "Welcome to the NBA" moment.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

The no. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero, revealed his welcome to the NBA moment.

Kevin Durant

Team:Brooklyn NetsPosition:SFAge:34Height:211 cmWeight:107 kgBirth place:Washington, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

In The Old Man podcast with JJ Redick, Banchero said it was facing Kevin Durant.

"Playing against KD, I think, was kind of 'Welcome to the NBA' moment," Banchero revealed to Redick. "I guarded him for most of the game, and there was nothing you could do against him."

Banchero's Orlando Magic faced the Brooklyn Nets on November 28. Durant went off for 45 points (16/19 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 4/4 FT), leading the Nets to a 109-102 win.

Banchero responded with 24 points (8/16 2PT, 1/1 3PT, 5/10 FT), 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.

"Some guys get to the line a bunch or play with the refs and get calls. 14 points from the line, or whatever. KD was straight business," Banchero continued. "He was saying nothing to the refs, I think, he hit 4 or 5 free throws. But he had 45 points. Most of those were buckets, and he missed like 5 shots."

The American-Italian forward also explained why playing against such a player was so magnificent.

"Experience in that, having to guard him… He was the first player, I think I guarded in my life thinking 'There's nothing I could do'," Banchero admitted. "Usually, a guy could make some shots, but I would fluster him a little bit."

"But that was just like he doesn't even see me. I'm trying to cut him off, but he's just out there 'I'll get to my spot, I'll still gonna rise up'", Banchero concluded.

In his NBA debut season, Banchero averages 21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 27 games.

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