Duke basketball rising sophomore guard Caleb Foster welcomed 2021-22 forward Paolo Banchero to the latest installment of The Brotherhood Podcast, filmed during K Academy earlier this month but not posted on the show’s YouTube channel until Tuesday morning.
READ ALSO: Incoming Duke Giant’s injury recovery appears complete
It was the first time Foster, a lifelong fan of the blue devils who roomed with Banchero during his official visit before the 2021-22 season began, served as the show’s host. Considering his guest’s position as a former centerpiece of a Final Four team and his long list of accomplishments in just the infancy of his professional career, it’s understandable that Foster seemed a little nervous. at first.
They discussed Banchero’s Duke basketball debut in a Champions Classic victory over Kentucky at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 9, 2021, the same day Foster signed his national letter of intent to play for the Blue Devils. And they discussed Banchero’s NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors between his first two years with the Orlando Magic since he was selected No. 1 overall.
But a quarter into the 16-minute meeting, they shifted gears a bit to look ahead to Jon Scheyer’s third season as Duke’s head basketball coach. Foster wanted to know what Banchero thinks about the 2024-25 Blue Devils after watching most of them participate in the group’s first intrasquad meeting the week of K Academy.
“Man, I gotta look at the camera… They’re going to be special this year,” said Banchero, who starred in Durham during Mike Krzyzewski’s final season before retiring but also formed a close bond with Scheyer, the coach at Duke boss. waiting at that moment.
He broke down what stood out from the collection, which consists of the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, a few announced transfers and two returning defensive talents hoping to take the next step toward full-blown stardom: Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor.
READ ALSO: Incoming Duke star Cooper Flagg makes kids gain fans
“You could see the guys took it very seriously,” Banchero said. “I think that’s the only thing that shows, I think, from the first moment… The first time the guys play with each other and against each other, you know, how are they going to play? Are they going to be friendly? Are they going to play? Are they going to take it lightly? Or are they going to do it seriously? And they definitely did. So I was impressed.”
What’s the secret to Foster and his teammates realizing their potential?
“Everyone on the team knows how good each other is,” Banchero explained. “And the only way they can bring out the best in each other is if they hold each other accountable. They can’t let each other slack off. Obviously, the coaches are going to do their part. But it all depends on the players. If the players are By doing that, if the players push and motivate each other, then everyone will go as far as they want because everyone has the talent.
“They’ve all got experience. They’ve all got guys coming back. They’ve all got older guys coming in. You’ve got new guys coming in, freshmen that have a lot of talent as well. Yeah, man, I think we’re just getting closer.” as a team too…
“Everyone knows that in my year we were a very close group. We were always together, spending time together. That made everything easier when we got on the court. We already had that chemistry.”
RELATED: Duke has the four best stories in College Hoops next season