Stargazing: Five to watch in coming year

BASKETBALL

Paolo Banchero

Being the number one pick in the NBA Draft is no guarantee of success but all the signs point to Banchero delivering everything that Orlando Magic hoped for when they took him in the 2022 draft after just one season of college ball with Duke University. Banchero made his regular season debut on Oct 19 and promptly put up 27 points, grabbed nine rebounds and provided five assists in a defeat to the Detroit Pistons, the first 25/5/5 rookie debut since LeBron James in 2003. A former high school football quarterback, whose mother played in the WNBA and father played college football, Banchero's athleticism and versatility are impressive for a 6 foot 10 inch (2.08 meters) presence.

AFP