Five-star power forward Paolo Banchero committed to Duke on Thursday, bringing a much-needed breath of hope to the Blue Devils

Banchero, the third-best 2021 recruit in the 247Sports Composite, becomes part of the foundation for Duke’s 2021 class. He joins White Plains, NY, native AJ Griffin, the No. 6 player nationally in the Composite rankings. Griffin committed last November.

Banchero’s commitment comes at a time when Mike Krzyzewski was struggling on the recruiting front. In this recruiting cycle, two of Duke’s top targets committed elsewhere. Kennedy Chandler chose Tennessee and Max Christie committed to Michigan State.

A notable, young member of Sports Illustrated’s 2020 All-American third team, Banchero had a number of offers. In April, he told 247Sports his finalists were Kentucky, Tennessee, Washington, Arizona and Gonzaga.

Because of his relationship and prior communication with Chandler, some expected the 6-foot-9 Banchero to choose Tennessee, SI reports.

But Banchero foreshadowed his decision in that April interview with 247Sports. “Their pitch is that I will go there and they will let me play and play through my mistakes,” he said of the Blue Devils.

“I’m going to have the ball in my hands and try to win a national championship and be able to be a part of the brotherhood which is bigger than basketball.”

Playing his amateur ball at O’Dea High School in Seattle, Banchero averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks a game last season. He was a major chunk of the team, which went to the state title game. He and his team won the state title the year before, his sophomore year.

Over the years, Duke has perfected the one-and-done tradition, with stars like Zion Williamson and Jayson Tatum going pro after one season. Chances are Banchero will follow the same path.