This former Duke Blue Devils star is really struggling this NBA season.
Former Duke Blue Devils star Paolo Banchero has been an ascending talent the last couple of years and appeared to be on the verge of breaking into the NBA's elite, but he has hit a major roadblock.
After averaging 25.2 points per game with the Orlando Magic during the 2024-25 campaign, Banchero has dipped to just 20.5 points a night this season while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor, 23.7 percent from three-point range and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Heading into Friday night's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, Banchero had made just one three-pointer in his last five games, going just 1-for-19 from beyond the arc during that span.
It had gotten so bad for Banchero, as a matter of fact, that the Duke product did not attempt a single triple during the Magic's win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 23.
Banchero owns an unenviable true-shooting percentage of 54.9 percent, and his lack of efficiency has some wondering if he can even fit alongside of fellow Orlando big man Franz Wagner.
"I don’t buy too much into that (perception), but it is frustrating to see that and hear that just because, like I said, we’re at our best when both of us are out there," Banchero said, via Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero. Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images.Then perhaps it is Banchero himself?
Banchero has never been the best perimeter shooter in the world, but he is shooting, by far, the worst mark of his career from downtown in 2025-26. For reference, he made 33.9 percent of his treys two years ago and 32 percent of them last year.
The former No. 1 overall pick hit on just 29.8 percent of his long-range attempts back during his rookie campaign, but that's still not nearly as paltry as his rate this year.
So what exactly is wrong with Banchero, who owns a minus-2.9 plus-minus rating this season?
It's still early in the year, of course, so there is plenty of time for the Duke alum to turn things around. But there is no doubt that his struggles from deep are concerning.
Banchero spent one year with the Blue Devils in 2021-22 and registered 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while making 47.8 percent of his shots and 33.8 percent of his three-pointers.
No one can deny Banchero's talent, but he still clearly has plenty of growing to do on the professional level.