Duke Basketball: Overall impact of landing five-star forward Paolo Banchero

Duke’s next moves in the 2021 recruiting class

Kennedy was viewed as the most important 2021 prospect for the Blue Devils as a potential replacement for either Steward or Roach on the perimeter if either leaves for the NBA Draft. But landing a top-5 prospect regardless of position is always a big deal no matter what and this crosses off a need to land either a center of power forward for the class.

Of course, Duke Basketball will always try to acquire talent if they can since anyone can leave the current roster each offseason. They already have top-10 overall small forward AJ Griffin committed in the 2021 class, whose own style fits well with Banchero no matter what positions they play on the court. There could be another forward joining in 6’8 forward Patrick Baldwin, Jr., also ranked in the top-10 overall.

Baldwin’s possible arrival would slide Banchero to the center spot, which wouldn’t be an issue at all. But it would be very interesting the effect it has on the current forwards on the roster. Players such as Matthew Hurt and the incoming freshmen on the frontcourt may be forced to transfer if not good enough to go pro since they aren’t going to start on the 2021-22 squad.

Landing the top power forward in a recruiting class is always a big deal and for Duke Basketball, Paolo Banchero is another top-tier prospect that’ll shine for a year before moving on to star in the NBA. But it’s the suddenness of the decision that caught everyone off guard this time around. Blue Devil fans will take it though, knowing that they beat out rival Kentucky for his services.