Paolo Banchero on Duke: “Sometimes you were like a zoo animal, crazy stuff”

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 19: Kevin Knox II #20 of the Detroit Pistons covers Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena on October 19, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

Interviewed in “The Young Person Basketball Podcast with RJ Hampton”, Paolo Banchero talked about how he was perceived when playing college basketball with Duke.

The No.1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft didn’t live that experience in the most relaxing way possible, being surrounded by a lot of pressure.

“At Duke, they treated you like a celebrity if you played basketball. It took a lot getting used to but it helped me prepare to come to the NBA”, he said.

“Sometimes you were like a zoo animal. In class, you’d see them whispering about you and staring at you. I caught people trying to record me and more than a few people trying to sneak-record me. They knew where I stayed, they knew what my car looked like. My classmates would start bringing their families to my dorm and knocking on my door. Crazy stuff”, Orlando Magic’s star added.

The full interview with Paolo Banchero, who’s currently the best player on the Orlando Magic roster, averaging 24 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, is here:

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

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