Blue Devil Country

Younger Brother of Former Duke Basketball Star Lands UNC Offer

The UNC football staff is now officially pursuing one of Duke basketball product Paolo Banchero's siblings.
Matt Giles|
Former Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero
Former Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue DevilsNorth Carolina Tar Heels

O'Dea High School (Wash.) three-star athlete Giulio Banchero is the younger brother of 2021-22 Duke basketball one-and-done and current Orlando Magic sensation Paolo Banchero. And now, despite his brother's allegiance to the Blue Devils and history versus the Tar Heels, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver/cornerback hybrid is a full-fledged UNC football recruiting target.

ALSO READ: Jon Scheyer on Comparing Blue Devils to Tar Heels

Giulio Banchero took to social media to advertise his offer from first-year UNC football head coach Bill Belichick and his crew on Friday night. His post includes an old picture of himself and Paolo Banchero from inside UNC basketball's Dean E. Smith Center as kids.

According to 247Sports, UNC and Montana State are the only programs who have entered the fray for Banchero's services.

He currently stacks up at No. 81 among athletes and No. 14 in Washington on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.

Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero, a frontcourt power for the Magic alongside another Duke basketball talent in Wendell Carter Jr., is averaging 23.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists as a third-year pro. He's a former No. 1 overall draft pick who went on to become the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year and a first-time All-Star last season..

Of course, it's also worth noting that Paolo Banchero's Blue Devil career ended at the hands of the Tar Heels in the Final Four, Mike Krzyzewski's last game as Duke basketball head coach.

ALSO READ: Five-Star Duke Target Nate Ament Talks Decision Timeline

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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