Is that Prince at the 2022 NBA Draft? No, it’s top prospect Paolo Banchero.
The Duke product is one of the three favorites to go first-overall on Thursday and his threads definitely reflect his status. Banchero showed up in a vibrant purple suit adorned with diamonds.
Banchero’s outfit has drawn plenty of jests from fans, with some comparing him to Prince and saying that teams will “select Paolo Banchero and the Revolution.”
Paolo Banchero showed up for the NBA Draft in a flashy outfit. Getty ImagesOthers quipped Banchero dressed up as the Joker for Thursday’s draft.
Banchero said the reason for the suit was that his parents were upset he didn’t choose to play for University of Washington and this was his way of apologizing.
“I wore this color cause everyone gave my parents some heat for me not going to UW where they went so this was like a I’m sorry,” Banchero said on Thursday night.
Based on Banchero’s top three status and the teams picking at those spots (the Magic, Thunder and Rockets), it’s likely his purple fit won’t match his new team, so he’ll have to find a new use for all those diamonds.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stands with the 2022 Draft Class at the at Barclays Center/ Corey SipkinThe 2022 NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. Thursday night.
