Paolo Banchero sees himself in Rockets at No. 3: 'It would be a blessing' / News - Basketnews.com

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Paolo Banchero sees a fit with the Houston Rockets at No. 3 in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Points this season

46%109,7Points made:109,7Accuracy:45,6%Place in standings:17Record max:146Record min:85Best scorer:Christian WoodTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

"It went great in Houston," Banchero told Houston Chronicle."They have a young group. They want to play fast and space the floor. And they see me fitting right in."

"I will be blessed to hear my name called by any of the top three [teams], Houston included," the American-Italian athlete continued. "I think they've got a good situation that they're building. If they were to add me to that and make me part of it, it would be a blessing."

Banchero starred at Duke, leading the Blue Devils in scoring en route to a Final Four appearance. As a freshman, he averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.

With the draft around the corner (June 23), it's widely expected that former Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. — who has not worked out for the Rockets because he feels he won't slide that far — will be taken with the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic. Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren might follow at No. 2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Meanwhile, in May, a Seattle native Banchero admitted that he isn't into OKC: "I never liked the Thunder."

Moreover, Banchero said that he hasn't spoken with the Sacramento Kings, currently keeping the fourth choice in the draft.

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