Paolo Banchero Assesses First 2024-25 Duke Basketball Pick-Up Action
It marked the first time that Foster, a lifelong fan of the Blue Devils who roomed with Banchero during his official visit before the 2021-22 season began, served as the show’s host. Considering his guest’s standing as the former centerpiece of a Final Four team and his long list of accomplishments in only the infancy of his pro career, it’s understandable that Foster seemed a tad nervous at the start.
They talked about Banchero’s statement Duke basketball debut in a Champions Classic win over Kentucky in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 9, 2021, the same day Foster signed his national letter of intent to play for the Blue Devils. And they chatted about Banchero’s NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star distinctions between his first two years with the Orlando Magic since getting drafted No. 1 overall.
But a quarter of the way into the 16-minute sitdown, they shifted gears for a bit to look ahead to Jon Scheyer’s third season as Duke basketball head coach. Foster wanted to know Banchero’s thoughts on the 2024-25 Blue Devils after watching most of them take part in the group’s first intrasquad pick-up the week of K Academy.
“Man, I gotta look at the camera…They gonna be special this year,” said Banchero, who starred in Durham during Mike Krzyzewski’s last season before retirement yet also formed a tight bond with Scheyer, Duke’s head-coach-in-waiting at the time.
He broke down what stood out about the collection, which consists of the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, a few heralded transfers, and two returning backcourt talents hoping to take the next step toward full-fledged stardom in Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor.
