Duke star freshman Paolo Banchero is declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft, he announced Wednesday. The 6-foot-10 forward ranks as The Athletic’s No. 4 overall player in the class, projected to be selected at No. 3 overall by the Detroit Pistons in Sam Vecenie's latest mock draft.

Banchero, 19, won ACC Freshman of the Year honors and was a consensus second-team All-American selection. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for the season.

What Banchero offers as an NBA prospect

Brendan Marks, Duke writer: Simply put, Banchero is a stud. He arrived at Duke as a top-three recruit in the nation, and now he leaves after one star-studded season as a likely top-three pick in the NBA Draft. Mission accomplished. At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Banchero has the offensive skillset of a wing in the body of a modern center. He's an absolute wrecking ball in transition, and he often overwhelmed college bigs with his size, strength, and explosiveness.