Which teams are five-star NCAA Basketball prospect Paolo Banchero scheduled to visit? Find out that in this latest recruiting roundup.
Top-5 2021 NCAA Basketball forward Paolo Banchero announced, on Aug. 20, that he will use all five of the official visits that he is permitted by the NCAA this year. Banchero will take official visits to UNC, Kentucky, Duke, Tennessee, and Gonzaga.
Banchero started the AAU spring season with a bang and continued to play well throughout the summer, finishing with over 21 points and 11 rebounds a game. In June, the 6-9 power forward took home MVP honors from the prestigious NBPA Top 100 camp and then was among the standout performers at USA Basketball Mini-Camp at the end of July.
The Seattle (Wash.) native is not a huge post player, weighing in at 235 pounds, but does possess decent length and a durable frame, according to 247Sports. Banchero can score in the low-post where he has a nice touch. However, he is the most efficient when he operates out of the high post as he can knock down jumpers, beat post defenders off the dribble, and hit cutters. The O’Dea high school product is also a terrific rebounder and capable rim protector.
Banchero is highly thought of and is ranked by the premier scouting services accordingly. He is ranked the third-best prospect in the nation by ESPN. Both Rivals and 247Sports Composite has him ranked fourth in the country while 247Sports has him fifth. There is a chance that Banchero may reclassify to 2020.
Banchero holds 16 offers with Oklahoma State being the latest to make an overture on Aug. 21. He will start his visits at UNC (Sept. 27-29) when the Tar Heels hold their annual late night with Roy and the football team at home versus Clemson. A few weeks later, he will visit Kentucky (Oct. 11-13) during their Big Blue Madness. He will then visit Duke (Oct. 17-20), Tennessee (Oct. 25-27), and Gonzaga (January 18-19). Just because those five received official visits doesn’t make them a lock as one of Banchero’s finalists. In fact, Washington is the overwhelming favorite to obtain his services.