NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 2021 Paolo Banchero’s final 6 teams

Gonzaga Bulldogs

After finally landing their first five-star recruit out of high school ever in Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga is looking for an epic 2021 class. The Bulldogs are not only after Banchero, but they’re also gunning for Chet Holmgren, another five-star big man also ranked in the top-5. He’s Suggs teammate at Minnehaha High School and Suggs himself has been recruiting both of the elite big men.

Gonzaga has had its fair share of success with frontcourt players, including Brandon Clarke, Kyle Wiltjer, Killian Tillie and Filip Petrusev, the reigning WCC Player of the Year. He has entered the NBA Draft but likely will return for another season. But he’ll definitely be gone after next season, leaving open room for either Banchero or Holmgren to play for GU.

Of all the options, Gonzaga actually has frontcourt pieces that are guaranteed to be on the 2021-22 roster. Drew Timme had a fantastic freshman season, while 6’10 center Oumar Ballo will be set to go after sitting out this past season due to academic reasons. And there’s top-80 big Kaden Perry, already committed to the 2021 class. Both naturally plays the center position, which may actually help the Bulldogs in their effort to land Banchero.

If he goes to either Duke, Kentucky, or the other schools on the list, Banchero would likely have to play at the center position. He’s more than capable to do that but excelling at the power forward position may be the best thing for his draft stock. Especially if Holmgren also joins, he’d play just as much as the 4 as he would at the 5-spot. The ability for the roster to allow him to be versatile could be a hidden selling point that gives Coach Few an edge to land the star forward.