O鈥橠ea鈥檚 Banchero becomes fourth junior to win Gatorade WA Boys Basketball Player of the Year
SEATTLE (BVM) — It鈥檚 not often that the Gatorade Washington Boys Basketball Player of the Year isn鈥檛 a senior. For just the fourth time since the turn of the millennium, a junior has taken home the state鈥檚 highest hardwood honor.
O鈥橠ea forward Paolo Banchero was recognized as the Gatorade State Player of the Year for the 2019-20 boys basketball season after posting 22.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 blocks per game and leading the Fighting Irish to a 23-6 record en route to a WIAA Class 3A state championship appearance.
While Banchero鈥檚 O鈥橠ea team was unable to win back-to-back state championships, he鈥檒l be determined to return to the title game as a senior. If he continues at this pace, Banchero is bound to accrue even more individual hardware. For the 2019-20 season, the 6-foot-9 forward was also honored as a first team all-state selection, the Seattle Times Player of the Year, the Metro League MVP and earned more national recognition as MaxPreps鈥� Junior Player of the Year.
鈥淏anchero isn鈥檛 showy, he just takes care of business,鈥� said Bainbridge head coach Steve Haizlip in a . 鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy to see his skillset at that size. He handles the ball like a point guard, he can really shoot, and the way he moves is incredible. He鈥檚 an amazing talent.鈥�
Currently testing the waters before making a college commitment, Banchero has himself positioned to play wherever he prefers. As the nation鈥檚 No. 4 recruit, according to ESPN鈥檚 top 60 rankings for the Class of 2021, Banchero has been courted by the country鈥檚 best basketball programs.
On April 29, Banchero announced his short list on Twitter for where he鈥檇 like to take his talents to at the next level. The six finalists include: Kentucky, Washington, Gonzaga, Arizona, Tennessee and Duke.
鈽忊伓
— Paolo Banchero (@Pp_doesit)
The allure of staying in Seattle might push Washington to the top of this list, but perennial power Duke has Banchero鈥檚 attention. The opportunity to play on national TV every game, contend for a national championship and improve your possibility of being an NBA Draft pick certainly bode well for the Blue Devils who have produced the last three NABC National Freshman of the Year winners.
鈥淛ust allowing me to be a basketball player,鈥� said Banchero to of Duke鈥檚 recruiting pitch. 鈥淥ne thing that they have stressed is that you will have the ball in your hands a lot, especially as a player like me that can pass and all that stuff. The chance to compete for a national championship, too, to have the chance to compete for a conference and national championship is their pitch.鈥�
As he takes his time to make a decision on where he鈥檒l play college ball, Banchero will attempt to go out on top next season at O鈥橠ea. A second state championship title for the forward is within reach. And if he becomes a repeat winner of the Gatorade Washington Boys Basketball Player of the Year, he鈥檇 be just the second back-to-back recipient in state history.
海角社区鈥� Mike Cianciolo contributed to this article.
