UK offers Paolo Banchero

Kentucky has a new target in the Class of 2021.

On Tuesday, the Wildcats offered Paolo Banchero a scholarship, he announced on Twitter.

The 6-9, 235-pound Banchero plays for O'Dea High School in Seattle (WA). He’s currently ranked No. 4 overall in 2021 by Rivals and No. 6 by both 247 Sports and ESPN.

Banchero won MVP honors at last week’s NBA Players Association Top 100 camp in Charlottesville (VA), where Kentucky had several coaches in attendance. He averaged 16 points and six rebounds in the camp games.

Pat Lawless of Prepcircle wrote this:

Among some of the top prospects throughout the country, Paolo Banchero left (the NBPA camp) with the MVP award and deservingly so. He was unstoppable at times with his top-notch inside and out game. It’s not a surprise that Banchero performed well, but to come out as just a rising junior as MVP definitely leaves a big statement.

Banchero already holds offers from the Kansas Jayhawks, Arizona Wildcats, Memphis Tigers and Washington Huskies among others. Washington already has seven predictions in his 247 crystal ball, which makes sense given that they’re the home state school, ala Jaden McDaniels.

But Kentucky didn’t offer McDaniels until his senior season had already began. Kentucky is offering Banchero before he even begins his junior season. When John Calipari targets someone early, watch out.

Check out some highlights of Banchero in action:

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