Paolo Banchero Biography Paolo Napoleon James Banchero (born November 12, 2002) is an American-Italian professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils and was named the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year. After his freshman season, Banchero declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, where he was selected as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic. He went on to be named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Paolo Banchero Biography
Paolo Napoleon James Banchero, born on November 12, 2002, is an American-Italian professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic in the NBA. A highly talented athlete, Paolo demonstrated his skills in basketball, American football, and track at a young age. After an impressive freshman year. Banchero was selected as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero was ranked among the top players in the 2022 class and earned a 5-star recruit status. He made his summer league debut on July 7, 2022, against the Houston Rockets, scoring 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 91-77 win. Before joining the Magic, he received offers from top NCAA Division I programs such as Duke and Kentucky. Despite many predicting he would commit to the University of Washington, where his parents had studied.
Paolo Banchero Biography Details 2025
| Born | November 12, 2002 (age 22) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Nationality | American / Italian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| High school | O’Dea (Seattle, Washington) |
| College | Duke (2021–2022) |
| NBA draft | 2022: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
| Playing career | 2022–present |
| Category | Football Biographies |
About Paolo Banchero
Paolo Napoleon James Banchero is an American-Italian professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. Banchero was named the Rookie of the Year of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2022.
- Born: 12 November 2002 (age 22 years), Seattle, Washington, United States
- Current team: Orlando Magic (#5 / Power forward, Small forward)
- School: Duke University
- Dates joined: 2022 (Orlando Magic), 2021 (Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball)
- Parents: Rhonda Banchero, Mario Banchero
- Height: 08 m
- League: NBA
Early Life
Banchero showed early signs of his athletic potential, reaching a height of 3 feet (0.9 m) by just 15 months old. As a child, he played both basketball and American football and participated in track events. He grew up playing basketball at the Rotary Boys and Girls Club in Seattle and attended EBC Camps, including the Ballislife Jr. All-American Camp. His mother, a professional basketball player, was a major inspiration for him. By seventh grade, Banchero had grown from 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) to 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m), and he was rank among the top 50 eighth-graders nationally in both basketball and football.
High School Career
At O’Dea High School in Seattle, Banchero continue to showcase his athleticism. As a freshman, he play both basketball and football, serving as the backup quarterback for the state championship team. On the basketball court, he averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. In his sophomore season, he upped his stats to 18.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, leading O’Dea to the Class 3A state championship, where he was named MVP. As a junior, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, earning honors such as Washington Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Junior of the Year. He was also selected to participate in prestigious events like the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
Endorsements
Banchero has signed endorsement deals with major brands, including a contract with 2K Sports while in college, making him the first college athlete to appear in an NBA video game after new legislation allowed athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Additionally, in 2022, he secured a shoe deal with Nike’s Jordan Brand before his NBA debut.
Investments & Other Income
There is currently no available information on Banchero’s investments or other income sources aside from his NBA contract and endorsements. Details regarding the financial terms of his endorsement deals are also not disclose.
Lifestyle and Assets
- House: Banchero owns a home in Washington, Unite States, which includes modern amenities like a gym, training area, and a spa.
- Car: While details on his car collection are limit, Banchero is known to drive a Cadillac.
Charity Work
Banchero’s charitable activities remain private, but it is report that he is involve in philanthropic efforts, particularly supporting underprivileged children. He prefers to keep his charitable work away from the public eye to avoid the perception of using it for publicity.
Paolo Banchero Net Worth 2025
Paolo Banchero’s estimated net worth in 2025 is $2 million. As the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, he ranks as the 46th highest-paid player in the league. His earnings have increased by 5% compared to the with an annual salary of $12.5 million. Banchero signed a four-year contract worth $50 million, all of which is guaranteed. During his first NBA season, he earned a base salary of $11 million.
Paolo Banchero Salary
Paolo Banchero’s salary for the 2024/25 season is $11,608,080. This salary is part of his initial contract with the Orlando Magic, signed after being draft as the number one pick in 2022. His base salary for the first season was $11,055,120. As of now, he is the fifth-highest-paid player on the Magic’s roster.