According to sources, Duke forward Paolo Banchero and guard Michael Savarino are facing legal issues following an arrest by North Carolina Highway Patrol early Sunday morning. Savarino is the grandson of Duke’s head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his mother, Debbie, is an assistant athletic director for the Blue Devils.
According to the News & Observer’s Steve Wiseman, Savarino was arrested on DWI charges, while Banchero is facing charges of aiding and abetting DWI. Banchero was cited at the scene and released.
Savarino was pulled over early Sunday morning after he committed a stop sign infraction. He was then administered a breathalyzer test and it showed a blood alcohol level of 0.08.
Wiseman provided a statement from Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski: “We are reviewing a legal matter involving two members of the men’s basketball team,” Krzyzewski said in a statement to the newspaper. “Any further actions as a result of this situation will ultimately be determined by the Vice President/Director of Athletics and University officials.”
Savarino’s court date is December 9, according to the newspaper; Banchero’s is December 8.
Banchero arrived at Duke with great fanfare and hype. He was the No. 2 overall player according to the 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2021 freshman class. The 6’10” power forward had 22 points and seven rebounds in Duke’s 79-71 win against No. 10 Kentucky to open the season. He is a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Banchero is averaging 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds through the first three contest of the season.
Savarino is a former walk-on, who was placed on scholarship last summer.
Duke (3-0) will return to action, hosting Gardner-Webb Tuesday night. It is unknown if Banchero and Savarino will be available to play.
