Paolo Banchero names his Top-5 current and all-time players / News - Basketnews.com

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Paolo Banchero was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

2-pointers this season

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Just before the draft, Banchero was briefly interviewed by Complex Sports about various topics ranging from music to basketball.

Asked to name the Top-5 current players, Banchero listed the following names (in no particular order):

LeBron James Kevin Durant Giannis Antetokounmpo Joel Embiid Stephen Curry

Banchero comes from Duke University. Coached by the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, it was the first time in the program's history when five players were selected in the Draft. Banchero joins the ranks of Art Heyman (1963, Knicks), Elton Brand (1999, Chicago), Kyrie Irving (2011, Cleveland), and Zion Williamson (2019, New Orleans) as a first overall pick.

Having heard the answers about the current Top-5, he was then asked to name his all-time Top-5. The following players made the list (in no particular order):

Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan LeBron James Magic Johnson Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Simone Sandri just before the draft whether he was going to help the Italian national team, the newly-selected Magic of Italian descent was certain. "I'll be playing for the national team," he said. "Probably not this summer but the following."

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