Magic's Paolo Banchero 'Going 100 MPH' at FIBA World Cup

Orlando Magic phenom Paolo Banchero is adjusting to FIBA basketball as he prepares for the World Cup.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is adapting to the differences between FIBA and the NBA during tune-up games before the FIBA World Cup. 

“The physicality is different,” Banchero told NBA.com. “You can be physical on defense in terms of redirecting your man, the way you can guard. That’s the biggest thing that stands out. And a 40-minute game, it goes by quicker. In the NBA, you can be down 20 in the first quarter and not be worried because you’ve got time. You can ease into the game a little bit. Not here; you want to be going 100 mph from the jump.”

Not only are the games shorter in time, but most things in FIBA are tighter and more condensed. NBA courts are 94 feet by 50 feet while FIBA courts are 91 feet 10 inches by 49 feet 2.5 inches. 

The three-point line in FIBA is also 1 foot 7.25 inches shorter at the top and 4.25 inches shorter in the corners. While it's not a major difference, every inch matters in something as rigorous as three-point shooting. 

Banchero chose playing for Team USA over Team Italy this summer as he was eligible for both.

Some of Banchero's Team USA teammates echoed his sentiments about the changes in the game during FIBA play. 

“It’s great with the rule changes,” Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. told NBA.com. “You can be a lot more physical, guards can be physical up high, they can kind of funnel everything down to the bigs down low.”

Team USA will be playing in its first game of the FIBA World Cup on Aug. 26 at 8:40 a.m. against New Zealand. All of Team USA's games in the group stage will be held in Manila, Phillippines. 

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