Duke freshman and projected top NBA draft prospect Paolo Banchero isn’t like any athlete most of us have seen before. He has a relatively rare condition that makes him lose weight at a seemingly outlandish rate. He is such a heavy sweater that he must take sweat tests regularly and a special, oxygenated drink to avoid cramping during gameplay.
The drink he subscribes to, BOA Blast, uses oxygen to propel atomized nutrients into your body. It is also said to replenish sodium, which allows one to rehydrate at a much faster rate. For Banchero, this proves quite useful since his condition potentially makes him drop 0.25 percent of his body weight on a nightly basis.
Apparently, the weight loss factor doesn’t take those in the know by shock. In circles across multiple sports, this is a formality alongside one’s training regiment. NFL running backs and professional fighters often cut weight at a similar rate. If anything, Banchero’s condition gives us spectators a purview into the depths of a top-level athlete’s practice and craft.
As far as Banchero’s team goes, the Blue Devils will do what they can to support him. He currently leads the team in scoring alongside junior teammate Wendell Moore. In this, Coach K’s (Mike Krzyzewski) last season, Banchero and company look to win him one more national championship in 2022.
Headlining the 2022 NBA draft
While it’s still very early, the 2022 NBA draft class has already begun to take shape. Paolo Banchero currently sits atop most prospect rankings alongside Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren. Other early headliners include Jalen Hardy, Jabari Smith, and Patrick Baldwin Jr., among others.
As we’ve gotten well underway into the new College Basketball season, plenty of other names may emerge throughout the year. The biggest questions right now merely pertain to who those underrated prospects are. In addition, we should consider which NBA franchises will stand atop the lottery when the time comes.
