Paolo Banchero was surprised to learn Carmelo and Kevin Durant are big fans
Paolo Banchero had the chance to meet several players during All-Star Weekend, and the Orlando Magic rookie revealed it was talking to Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant that meant the most to him.
Banchero was among the 11 rookies selected to compete in the NBA Rising Stars competition on Friday after averaging 19.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season. He participated in the Skills Challenge the next night, along with rookies Jabari Smith Jr. and Jaden Ivey.
The top pick admitted the weekend was packed with various events and other engagements, but the opportunity to talk to current and past legends of the game made it all worth it.
He was surprised to learn Anthony and Durant are big fans.
I spent a lot of time talking to them and got to connect with them. I left there feeling motivated. (They gave) a lot of advice. I exchanged numbers with them. I didn’t realize how much they’re fans of me, and they expressed that to me. It really just kind of took me back.
Getting validation from them was all I needed to hear. Being able to receive that and being able to take it and add some of that stuff to my game and my mindset just went a long way. I don’t need to hear nothing else from nobody; hearing that stuff from them was amazing.
Banchero grew up watching Anthony and Durant and tried to model some of his game after them. He later pivoted to watch Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum, but Anthony and even LeBron James were players he idolized early on.
He even had the opportunity to play against Durant this season.
Banchero later said that game, in which Durant scored 45 points, was sort of his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment. Durant missed only five shots in that game and was virtually unstoppable. It was the first time, Banchero said, he ever felt helpless on the court.
He revealed the message from Anthony and Durant from the weekend.
They really believe I can be the best at this one day. Obviously, it is not going to be easy, but they see it in me and they believe in me. They support me and are fans of me and have been watching from a distance. Just stuff that surprised me. I didn’t know that was what it was. When you hear that from guys who are legends, and have done everything you want to do in this league, it goes a long way.
Jamahl Mosley, now in his second season as head coach of the Magic, spent five years in Denver in player development and as an assistant coach under George Karl. He had the opportunity to be around Anthony and believes the future Hall of Famer is a great mentor.
It is such a great opportunity to hear and get advice from your peers — guys that have been through it and done it. I think there is no better lesson other than experience than hearing it from guys who have been through it and (Anthony and Durant) are two great guys that can give him the lessons on what it means to be a high pick.
The events surrounding All-Star Weekend can often serve as great opportunities for young players to connect with the greats before them, and that was certainly the case with Banchero.
He will be using those conversations as motivation moving forward.
