NBA

Potential #1 Draft pick from Duke Paolo Banchero and his teammate face DWI charges

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 30: Theo John #12, Joey Baker #13, Paolo Banchero #5, Jeremy Roach #3 and Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during their game against the Winston-Salem State Rams at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 106-38. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Potential #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Paolo Banchero and his teammate Michael Savarino are facing DWI charges due to an incident early Sunday morning.

Savarino was arrested for DWI charges, while Banchero was charged for aiding and abetting DWI, later being released.

This season, everything was looking up for the Duke Blue Devils, but this incident will likely alter that. The team is currently 3-0 and ranked #7 in the AP Top 25.

“We are facing a legal matter involving two members of the men’s basketball team. Any further actions as a result of this situation will ultimately be determined by the Vice President/Director of Athletics and University officials.”

Mike Krzyzewski

On Sunday morning, Savarino was pulled over for a stop-sign violation when a breathalyzer test read a blood alcohol content of 0.08. This is the legal limit in the state of North Carolina, where Duke’s campus is. Savarino failed to yield at a stop sign, where it all went down from there.

Banchero’s court date is Dec 8, and Savarino’s is Dec 9.

Mike Krzyzewski’s final season is not going as planned

After an underwhelming season last year, which is not the norm for Duke, they looked to bounce back in head coach Krzyzewski’s previous season with the team. He will retire at the end of the season.

Duke missed out on competing in the NCAA Tournament last year but was off to a great start this year. Led by star player Banchero, life was looking good for the team from Durham.

What makes this matter worse for Coach K is the fact that Savarino is his grandson. He has to deal with his best player being involved in the crime and a member of his own family.

Banchero has been a great player for the team through three games, given that he is averaging nearly 20 points and nine rebounds a game to start his college career. He was on his way to being a no-brainer top-5 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The status of Savarino and Banchero has not yet been stated for the rest of the season.

Categories NBA

Leave a Comment