Paolo Banchero showing glimpses of brilliance, making Jayson Tatum proud

Shortly after Paolo Banchero committed to the Duke Blue Devilsback in 2020, then-assistant coach Jon Scheyer connected thefive-star recruit with Jayson Tatum. Banchero would text Tatumoften, picking his brain about playing for Mike Krzyzewski and whatto expect at the collegiate level.

The two remained in touch, which Banchero admits is prettysurreal since Tatum is someone he modeled his game after.

“I’ve known him for about two years now,” Banchero toldBasketball News. “He was always one of my favorite players growingup. I’ve watched him since he was in high school [and kept watchinghim] all the way through Duke and now throughout his career in theNBA.”

Last offseason, Banchero had some tough decisions to make as hewas declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft. Once again, Tatum was therefor him every step of the way. Looking back, Banchero says thatTatum was “the main guy” who helped him navigate the pre-draftprocess.

“He’s helped me with a lot, mainly when I was coming into theleague. Like during pre-draft, I asked him about signing with anagent, signing a shoe deal – and I ended up signing with JordanBrand, where he’s at,” Banchero said. “All of that stuff cominginto the league is stuff that I ran by him and tried to get hisopinion on, just because he was in a lot of these same positionsthat I'm in. I’ve definitely used him as a resource.

“Obviously, during the season I haven’t hit him as much sincewe’re both in-season, but he’s a guy who was always open. I mean,he made himself available to me. He offered mehis number and said, ‘If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate.’And he just kinda took me under his wing, and I appreciate him forthat.”

Tatum, who has referred to Banchero as his little brother in thepast, believes it’s only right to pay it forward to the nextgeneration.

“I think that’s just our responsibility. Somebody helped me[when I was younger], and somebody helped the person that helpedme,” Tatum told Basketball News. “[Paolo] is somebody that I wasclose to while he was in college. Amile Jefferson is one of my bestfriends and he’s an assistant coach at Duke, so all three of uskind of talked all the time while he was in college.

“I’m a big fan of his; he loves the game and he works hard. AndI know what it’s like to come from Duke and be a top lottery pickand have a lot of expectations, so anytime I can help, I feel likeI’m obligated to do that.”

Tatum knows what it's like to enter the NBA and have your idolsbecome rivals. He’s just not used to being on the other side ofthis dynamic.

“It means a lot. It is funny, I guess. I’m in my sixth year nowand guys are coming in that are 19, so they’ve been watching me allof their high-school career and first year in college — the tableshave turned,” Tatum toldRookie Wire. “I remember being in that position andplaying against guys I really admired and looked up to. The bestpart about it is the respect is always there. The way you show itis to go out there and compete. No matter how much I like his gameor like him as a person, I’m not going to take it easy on him atall. I think, even moreso, I’m trying to guard him and go at him tokind of let him know I respect his game and I know what he iscapable of and things like that.”

In addition to Tatum’s mentorship, Banchero says that otherformer Blue Devils have been there for him too. Paolo believes thatthis network of support (often called “The Brotherhood”) is one ofthe biggest advantages of attending Duke. Entering the 2022-23 NBAseason, there were 25 Duke alumni in the NBA – the second-most ofany program, trailing only Kentucky (27).

“Everyone hears ‘The Brotherhood’ and probably thinks it’scorny, but it’s a real thing,” Banchero said. “Jayson isn’t theonly one [who’s helped me]. I’ve talked to Zion [Williamson] plentyof times. I’ve talked to Grant Hill a lot and he’s helped me a lot.A lot of guys would come back [to Duke], like Jahlil Okafor cameback, R.J. Barrett came back. All of those guys, they’re justaround and they try to get back any time that they can. And if theywere in the same city that we were playing in back in college, we’dhave guys coming to the games.

“It’s just an elevator where they send it back down and help thenext guys out. I was definitely helped by that, talking to thoseguys in college and hearing from those guys. It helps you alot.”

ROOKIE OF THE YEARLOCK

Barring injury, Banchero seemslike a lock for the Rookie of the Year award.

He currently leads all rookies in points per game (20.8) whilealso averaging the third-most assists (3.8), third-most steals(1.1), fourth-most rebounds (6.4) and sixth-most made threes (1.4).Banchero has the most 30-point games (four) and 20-point games (26)among all rookies too.

“He is just a tough matchup,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown saidof Banchero. “[In addition to] his skill level, his stature is justtough in itself. The way they play, and the lineups they play,allows him to be aggressive. He has been having a stellar rookieyear so far.”

“He’s a bigger wing; he’s 6-foot-10 and he’s got to be 230[pounds] or something like that. He can create off the bounce, hecan shoot, post up,” Tatum said of Banchero. “He’s had a hell of ayear. I think, obviously, probably Rookie of the Year. He has beenplaying at a high level. It looks like he has gotten better everymonth and is getting accustomed to the game. I’m happy forhim.”

The Orlando Magic went 3-1 against the Celtics this season,including three straight wins. Banchero seems to elevate his gameagainst Tatum and other superstars that he once idolized.

“It’s super fun,” Banchero said of facing his favorite players.“Going against Tatum, Luka [Doncic], KD (Kevin Durant), LeBron[James]... it’s kinda surreal at first. But then once you get pastit, it becomes even more fun than just playing a regular teambecause this is the best of the best. These guys are asgood as you’re gonna see, so you’ve gotta be on your A-game.”

Paolo grabs the lead back as the first halfcomes to an end ✅Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Magic basketball. Learn morehere âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/uVNZdsxxKl@OrlandoMagic| #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/Ln48dhfHBa

Banchero has been on his A-game for much of the season, steppingin as a focal point for Orlando from Day 1.

He has led the Magic in scoring a team-high 18 times thisseason. In December, Banchero scored 20 or more points in sevenconsecutive games, tying the longest streak by a rookie infranchise history (which was previously set by Shaquille O’Neal inFebruary 1993). Banchero would go on to earn the NBA’s Rookie ofthe Month award for December.

Banchero's best game of the season was his 33-point, 16-reboundperformance against the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 5. He became justthe second teenager in NBA history to record at least 30 points and15 rebounds in a game, joining LeBron James. After scoring 30points in the following game against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 7,he became just the fifth teenager in NBA history with back-to-back30-point outings, joining James, Doncic, Williamson and DevinBooker.

Overall, he has made the prep-to-pro transition look relativelyeasy.

“It’s been good, it’s just been a learning process. I’m stilllearning, but I’m definitely more comfortable than I was at thebeginning of the season,” Banchero said. “I think as the year goeson, stuff changes. In this game, you have ups and downs. I think Istarted off really hot and then you slow down and then you heatback up, and that’s just kinda how it goes.

“I think that’s just what I’ve been learning – how to sustain asolid focus and intensity that you can bring every night. There’sso many games, so that’s really just what I’ve been tryingto learn and pick up on. It’s been a learning process, but I’ve hada lot of fun so far.”