After signing a NIL deal with 2K sports in September, Paolo Banchero is now live to use in NBA 2K22. Dating back to 2009, the last time college basketball players were featured in a game was in NCAA Basketball 10; headlined by cover star Blake Griffin (Brooklyn Nets) formerly of the Oklahoma Sooners.
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Highlighted Stats: 22.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.7 APG
A product of O’Dea High School, Banchero quickly rose as a top prospect in the nation during his freshman year. With improved numbers his sophomore year (18.2 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game), Banchero was named the most valuable player during his team’s championship run. The following season Banchero cemented his status as the top player in the class of 2021 and committed to the Duke Blue Devils basketball program. A highly decorated prep player, Banchero held a number of honors including:
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Regular Season Stats: 16.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.8 APG
Soon after beginning his career with Duke, Banchero signed a historic deal with 2K sports; allowing his name, image, and likeness (NIL) to be featured in the game. Banchero leads the team in a number of categories, as the Blue Devils (24-4) sit at first place in the ACC heading into the last week of the regular season. A projected lottery pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero will headline “Season 5: The Power Within” of NBA 2K22’s “MyTeam” mode.
Headlining “MyTeam Season 5”, Banchero joins former NBA MVP/two time NBA Champion Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) and former Gonzaga Bulldogs star/2019 first round pick Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards). Banchero is usable at the PF/C position and arrives with a 95 overall rating. During this season, players will have the opportunity to take on challenges and side-quests in the “City” and “Cancha Del Mar”; where the ultimate goal is to reach legendary status in MyTeam (level 40). Ahead of his expected appearance in NBA 2K23, fans can use Banchero as one of the top playable rookies in the game.
As Paolo Banchero makes his appearance in NBA 2K22 this weekend, the promise of additional future college stars in the game looks positive.
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Featured image courtesy of 2K Sports
