Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Former Duke Basketball Star Issues Fair Warning to League
Until this year, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic were the only three players in NBA history to average at least 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season before their 22nd birthday. As things stand now, though, Duke basketball gem Paolo Banchero is in that exclusive club, StatMuse pointed out on Saturday.
RELATED: List of Duke's All-Time First-Round NBA Draft Picks
The Orlando Magic sophomore, a former No. 1 draft pick who is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and a first-time All-Star this season, is averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists as the centerpiece for a club that sits at No. 5 in the Eastern Conference standings and is earning the "contender" tag sooner than most expected.
And he's missed only two games.
Responding to the StatMuse post that recognized his under-22 greatness in the same breath as Jordan, James, and Doncic, Banchero noted for folks to "catch up now or find out later" and added a couple of emojis to illustrate his words of warning:
On Friday night, Banchero tallied 17 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Fellow Duke basketball one-and-done and Orlando frontcourt starter Wendell Carter Jr. posted 15 points, eight boards, and three dimes. Together, they helped power the Magic (39-28) to a 113-103 road win over the Toronto Raptors (23-44).
One of the two NBA Blue Devils in Toronto's usual starting backcourt, RJ Barrett, is out of action indefinitely due to the tragic death of his younger brother, Nathan, on Tuesday.
As for the other, Gary Trent Jr. recorded a game-high 31 points, shooting a blistering 7-for-11 beyond the arc for the Raptors, albeit in a losing effort.
Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more updates on NBA Blue Devils and other Duke basketball news.