Paolo Napoleon James Banchero[2] (/ˈpaʊloʊ bæŋˈkɛəroʊ/ POW-loh bang-KAIR-oh,[3] (Italian: Paolo Napoleone Giacobbe Banchero) Italian: [ˈpaːolo baŋˈkɛːro]; born November 12, 2002) is an American-Italian professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

[7] In his first year at O'Dea High School in Seattle, Banchero played football, as the backup quarterback on the state championship team, as well as basketball.

[9] In his sophomore season, Banchero averaged 18.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, leading O'Dea to the Class 3A state championship, where he was named most valuable player.

Although he received offers from top NCAA Division I programs, including Duke and Kentucky, most recruiting analysts predicted that he would commit to Washington.

He made his 2022 NBA Summer League debut on July 7 against the Houston Rockets with 17 points, four rebounds and six assists in a 91–77 win.

[33] On October 3, 2022, Banchero made his preseason debut, putting up eight points, two rebounds and one assist in a 109–97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

[34] On October 19, Banchero made his regular-season debut, putting up 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a 113–109 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

[39] On November 4, Banchero recorded a 25-point and 10-assist double-double while adding seven rebounds and leading the Magic to a 120–101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

[43] On January 6, Banchero recorded his first career triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 3 steals in a 122–120 win over the Denver Nuggets.

[48] In Game 5, Banchero scored a playoff career-high 39 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists in a 104–103 narrow loss to the Cavaliers.

[50] On October 23, 2024, in the Magic's season-opening game, Banchero put up 33 points and 11 rebounds in a 116–97 win over the Miami Heat.

He joined Shaquille O’Neal and Tracy McGrady as the only players in Magic franchise history to put up at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a season-opening game.

[51] On October 28, Banchero put up a career-high 50 points, along with 13 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks in a 119–115 win over the Indiana Pacers.

[52] Banchero's 50-point performance made him the fourth player in Orlando Magic history to score at least 50 points in a single game.

"[61] Banchero's mother, Rhonda (née Smith), played college basketball for Washington, leaving as the program's all-time scoring leader.

Banchero has a rare condition that causes him to lose 7 pounds of sweat each game, which leads him to experience cramps and stunt his in-game performance.