Arizona Marvelous Ideas: 2021 5-star forward Paolo Banchero adds Arizona to list of finalists

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Five-star forward Paolo Banchero announced Saturday that he is adding the Arizona Wildcats to his list of finalists.

The 6-foot-8 Seattle native is also considering Baylor, Duke, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington.

I will be adding the University of Arizona to my final list of schools❤️

⬇️
— Paolo (Paul-Oh) (@Pp_doesit) April 5, 2020

He has taken official visits to Gonzaga, Tennessee, Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Banchero is the No. 4 player in the 2021 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings. He flirted with the idea of reclassifying to 2020 but decided against it.

Here is what his 247Sports scouting report says:

Respectable size for post with decent length, wide shoulders and a very good frame. Strong for his age but has plenty of room to grow into frame. Shouldn’t have issues increasing strength. Best from high post where he can hit jumpers, take bigger defenders off dribble or use his outstanding vision to find cutters. Terrific rebounder. Uses his size and basketball IQ to protect rim. Should be able to play both the four and five at college level. Improving efficiency from perimeter would take game to next level and greatly impact his NBA upside. Projects as a high level performer at high major level. Has first-round upside with continued development.

All eight Crystal Ball predictions have Banchero picking the hometown Washington Huskies. He attends for O’Dea High School, less than five miles from the UW campus.