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ACC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Mar 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC Commissioner John Swofford presents Duke Blue Devils forward Zion Williamson (1) with the tournament MVP trophy in the ACC conference tournament at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC Commissioner John Swofford presents Duke Blue Devils forward Zion Williamson (1) with the tournament MVP trophy in the ACC conference tournament at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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ACC Basketball Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
ACC Basketball Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Paolo Banchero

An elite five-star prospect, Banchero was one of the top recruits in the nation in 2021 when he chose to play at Duke. A 6’10 forward from Seattle, Banchero was a major factor during an explosive freshman season for the Blue Devils, the only season he’d spent playing college ball. All things considered, the future #1 overall pick would have quite the ride.

Part of a very talented Duke roster, Banchero averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, leading the Blue Devils in both categories. He put up a career-high 28-point performance early in the season and proved important in the postseason. After racking up a number of double-doubles, Banchero helped lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four in Coach K’s final season as head coach, including a 20-point, 10-rebound performance in their loss to eventual runner-up North Carolina.

Named a Second Team All-American in his lone collegiate season, Banchero was also ACC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-ACC, leading the league in field goals and points scored for the season. His contributions to Duke’s most recent deep postseason run will not be forgotten. As previously mentioned, he was taken with the top pick of the NBA Draft just a few months later and certainly got quite a lot out of his one season in Durham, assisting with quite the fond farewell to Coach K.