All eyes on Banchero, as NBA Summer League is set to open

07.07.2022 - 06:01 arabnews.com

LAS VEGAS: In Las Vegas, there’s always a big show happening. Welcome to the stage, Paolo Banchero. He’s about to have his opening night.

NBA Summer League starts Thursday in Las Vegas, with Banchero — the now-former Duke star forward who was the No. 1 pick last month — set to play in the opening game when the Orlando Magic take on No.

3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. and the Houston Rockets in the first contest of the 11-day showcase. “It’s great,” Banchero said Wednesday as the Magic wrapped up practice in one of the two UNLV arenas where games will be taking place. “You know, I get to come out here, have all these people come watch, watch me put on a show.

I love when big crowds are out, when all the cameras are out, that’s when I play my best. So, I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be fun.” The crowds do come for these games; in 2018, Summer League set a total attendance record of 139,972 and in 2019, a per-day average record was set of 12,199 fans.

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