Paolo Banchero is a tough defensive assignment not only due to his offensive skills but also due to his strength.
The number one pick of 2022 NBA Draft recently played against the Lakers and scored 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Rui Hachimura, who was tasked with guarding the Magic rookie, admitted that it was difficult to guard the 250-pound player. He even jokingly asked whether Banchero is indeed 19-years-old (he turned 20 in November).
“I don’t know if he’s 19-years old. I don’t know. I’m not sure,” Hachimura said with a laugh, per Dave McMenamin. “But he’s a great player for sure.”
This season Banchero is averaging 20 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 33.8 minutes per game.
