Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball One-And-Done Gets Emotional After Draining Game-Winner

A big-time bucket led to Duke basketball product Paolo Banchero producing tears.
Matt Giles|
Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

On Saturday night, former Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero, who had yet to miss a game this season, displayed his clutch one-on-one skills by drilling a game-winning and-one fadeaway to propel the Orlando Magic to a 112-109 road win over the Detroit Pistons.

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Check out the replay of the notably difficult shot that gave Orlando its third straight victory and improved the upstart squad's record to 32-25 overall:

Banchero, a frontcourt starter alongside fellow Duke basketball one-and-done Wendell Carter Jr., was dealing with an illness that led to his absence in Sunday night's 109-92 loss at the Atlanta Hawks.

So, the 21-year-old All-Star's stats against Pistons weren't his best: 15 points on 5-for-17 shooting from the field, five boards, three dimes, and two blocks.

He battled through the illness and poor shooting, though. And that effort paired with the perfect ending culminated in Paolo Banchero having to step away from the camera for a moment and wipe away tears as he explained his emotions to Bally Sports:

"It was important," Banchero, averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists as the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, said about the outcome. "It was a hard game...I've been sick...It's just been tough, man. I've been feeling terrible. I played terrible. I just give credit to my teammates. They lifted me up the whole game.

"I don't know why I'm crying right now. It was a hard game, and I'm proud of my team, for sure."

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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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