Orlando’s magic star Paolo Banchelo looks back on being a Jordanian athlete despite playing for the Duke Blue Devils.
Rivalry has always been an important aspect of sports, and the same goes for basketball games.
Whether it’s the NBA or the NCAA, the rivalry between the two teams is what inspiring it, and one of the most iconic rivals in all sports is between the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina tar heel.
So, even after being drafted into the NBA, most players still maintain distance from athletes in other programs. But Orlando’s magic star Paolo Banchelo ignored this Duke-un rivalry.
As Bancello is the outlook for an elite high school, it was only a matter of time before he signed a signed shoe deal with one of the top sneaker brands.
The 2022 General Pick quickly signed with the Jordanian brand, but not many fans saw it coming due to the Bunchelo Duke bond.
Was the decision easy? Banchelo said: “It was easy. It was easy. I was true, was it true? And he (Jamal Crawford) said, “He (Jordan) loves your game, and he loves about you, the right thing.”
“He said, ‘We need to take you to the brand.” Like S___, I think I had a contract with Jordan,” Banchelo said.
Banchelo shares a big bond with former NBA player Jamal Crawford. So it was natural that Crawford played a role in getting the Magic Star for the Jordanian brand.
Banchelo was a member of Duke’s basketball program, while Michael Jordan played for UNC. Speaking of which, MJ is undoubtedly one of the most decorated alumni in the basketball program.
Jordan spent three seasons with the team ahead of the 1984 NBA Draft and was selected as third overall by the Chicago Bulls.
As for the NCAA career, MJ averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in the 101 contest.
Jordan also won the 1982 NCAA Championship and many other accolades. However, his college resume fades compared to what he accomplished in the NBA.