NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Early analysis of top 2021 prospects

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: A general view of basketballs before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 20: A general view of chairs. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Paolo Banchero – Seattle, WA

PF | 6-foot-9 | 235 lbs | No. 6 overall

An emerging frontcourt player in the class, Paolo Banchero is an absolute menace for defenders. With solid size, elite athleticism, and plenty of touch out to mid-range, he can fill up the basket in many different situations. In addition, he is an above-average passer with the ability to find open teammates when attracting extra attention. What stands out most, though, is that he has a superb nose for the ball when it comes to rebounding. He blocks out exceedingly well and gauges misses better than most in the class.

That much has been evident across the first eight games on the EYBL circuit, where he is averaging 11.0 rebounds to go with 21.2 points per game (with Seattle Rotary Style – 17U). Oh, and those 2.2 blocks per contest certainly do not hurt. With his high motor and rebounding abilities, Banchero also gets to the free throw line at will. He is averaging nearly eight free throw attempts per game and is knocking those charity shots down at an 80.6% rate. That is definitely encouraging.

At this point in time, Banchero projects as a highly-effective big man at the college level due to his tremendous rebounding and ability to draw contact around the rim. If he is able to continue developing as a 3-point shooter, then he will become an even bigger matchup nightmare.

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