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The gambling public was right! The days ahead of Thursday night's NBA Draft, the betting public was all over Paolo Banchero to be picked number one.
On Thursday night, Orlando made Banchero the top overall pick. He paid $20 for every $10 bet.
The favorite was Jabari Smith Jr., but heavy action on Banchero pushed his price from 9-1 to 2-1 in less than a week’s time.
"I feel like I am the best player in the draft and I feel like I showed that throughout the year," Banchero said. "I feel like I showed everything with my skill sets and my intangibles."
Orlando did too apparently.
"I had a feeling, from the information I was being told, that it was just kind of up in the air," Banchero told ESPN after he was chosen first. "Orlando wasn't really sure yet, and just to be ready for whatever.
"I didn't find out, though, that I was actually getting picked until about 20 seconds before the commissioner got on the stage. I didn't even have time to really think about it or anything. It just kind of happened. I can't believe it, but I'm ready. I'm ready."
Banchero averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game across 39 games for the Duke Blue Devils during his college career.
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
