Formula One Reporter Mistakes Potential Magic Draft Target Paolo Banchero For Patrick Mahomes

The potential Magic pick does have the same curly hair as the former NFL MVP.

Jeremy Brener | May 13, 2022

Formula One Reporter Mistakes Potential Magic Draft Target Paolo Banchero For Patrick Mahomes /

It was a memorable first trip for Formula One at the Miami Grand Prix May 7.

USATSI_18003313 — Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports

Paolo Banchero

USATSI_18010894 — Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports

Paolo Banchero

USATSI_18002997 — Andrew Weavers/USA Today Sports

Paolo Banchero

While F1 is primarily popular in Europe, the interest in the sport is growing in the United States, and one of its fans happens to be Duke forward Paolo Banchero.

Banchero is projected to be one of the first players off the board in this summer's NBA Draft, and could be drafted by the Orlando Magic, who hold a top 6 selection.

Banchero's curly hair looked recognizable by F1 reporter Martin Brundle who works for Sky Sports.

Sky Sports just went up to former Duke star Paolo Banchero at F1 thinking he was Patrick Mahomes.#MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/2swkt4yRDT
— Greg Rosenstein (@grosenstein) May 8, 2022

"Patrick! Martin Brundle from Sky Sports," the reporter said, failing to get Banchero's attention.

Brundle was eventually able to track Banchero down and ask about the atmosphere surrounding the race in Miami.

"This is crazy," Banchero said. "I've never been to a Formula One race. This is spectacular."

Once Brundle was able to see Banchero face-to-face, he realized it wasn't the former NFL MVP and he asked the future top draft pick his name.

"It's not Patrick," Brundle said. "That's why he ignored me in the beginning."

Paolo Banchero

USATSI_18010148 — Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports

Paolo Banchero

USATSI_18003272 — Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports

Paolo Banchero

While Brundle may not have known Banchero's name, he knew he looked like a professional athlete.

Banchero is competing alongside Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren and Auburn's Jabari Smith to become the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

The NBA Draft Lottery is set to take place next Tuesday, May 17, where the Magic and other lottery teams will learn what position they will pick in for this summer's NBA Draft.

Published May 13, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.