Paolo Banchero discovered that jumping from Duke to the NBA involved challenges he never expected. The transition wasn’t just about facing better competition or adjusting to a longer season. For the former Blue Devil, the biggest shock came from something most fans never consider: what to do with all that free time.
Why Did Paolo Banchero Struggle Most With NBA Life Off the Court?
During his appearance on “The Brotherhood Podcast” with Duke rising star Cam Boozer, Banchero opened up about the realities of professional basketball that caught him off guard. The Orlando Magic forward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, didn’t sugarcoat the adjustment period after his standout freshman season at Duke.
“I mean, I would say for me, for me, it’s more so off the court stuff like just being on your own,” Banchero explained. “College, you wake up, you know, you got weights, you got class, practice. Your day is planned out pretty much every day, and you are kind of busy.”
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The structured environment that college basketball provided became something Banchero missed deeply. At Duke, every hour had a purpose, every day followed a predictable pattern. The NBA? That was a completely different world.
“In the NBA it’s like, you know, you got one practice from 11 to 1 or whatever it is, 12 to 2 and then you got the whole day to just do whatever you want or to chill at home,” he noted.
For a 22-year-old whose entire life revolved around basketball, this sudden abundance of unstructured time became overwhelming rather than liberating. “I was just playing video games or chilling at home,” Banchero admitted.
Beyond the mental adjustment, the physical toll of NBA life was different from anything Banchero experienced in college. The sheer volume of basketball became a challenge unto itself.
“All the games, obviously, it’s a lot more basketball being played, a lot more traveling. So, it’s tough on you know, mind and body at first,” he said.
The support system also shifted dramatically from his college experience. At Duke, everything was coordinated and managed for the players. In the NBA, that safety net looked very different.
“In the league, I feel like it’s a little more like it’s you’re on your own a little bit more,” he explained. “You kind of have to find a routine, you know, to stick to every day.”
This independence, while eventually empowering, initially left Banchero feeling adrift. The contrast between college structure and professional freedom required a complete mindset shift.
What Advice Does Banchero Offer Future NBA Players?
Speaking directly to players like Boozer who might follow a similar path, Banchero emphasized the importance of preparation and discipline. His message was straightforward: develop good habits early because the NBA won’t do it for you.
The advice centered on staying disciplined throughout what he called “a long season” with 82 games plus potential playoffs. That endurance test requires mental and physical preparation that goes far beyond what college basketball demands.
Banchero’s honest reflection provides valuable insight for young players who might assume the hardest part of reaching the NBA is getting drafted. Instead, his experience shows that success often depends on mastering the life skills that allow players to thrive in an environment with far less structure than they’ve ever known.
