Chris Banchero

Christopher Banchero (born January 24, 1989) is an American-born Filipino-Italian professional basketball player for the Magnolia Hotshots of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted 5th overall by Alaska in the 2014 PBA draft.

Chris Banchero

No. 22 – Magnolia Hotshots
Position	Point guard / Shooting guard
League	PBA
Personal information
Born	(1989-01-24) January 24, 1989 Seattle, Washington
Nationality	Filipino / Italian
Listed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight	175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school	O'Dea (Seattle, Washington)
College	Seattle Pacific (2007–2011)
PBA draft	2014 Round: 1 / Pick: 5th overall
Selected by the Alaska Aces
Playing career	2012–present
Career history
2012–2013	San Miguel Beermen
2013–2014	Boracay Rum Waves
2014–2019	Alaska Aces
2020–present	Magnolia Hotshots
Career highlights and awards
PBA All-Star (2019) PBA All-Rookie Team (2015) ABL champion (2013) ABL Finals MVP (2013) NCAA Division II All-American

High school and college career

Banchero was a key player for state 3A champion O'Dea High School, where he averaged 15.1 points for the Fighting Irish, who went 25-5. After his senior year in high school, he committed to play for Seattle Pacific University men's basketball program under coach Ryan Looney.

In his junior year at Seattle Pacific, he was named a Division II All-American, after he led the Falcons with a 19.6-point scoring average that was the second-highest figure in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.[1] He also led the team to a GNAC Championship and a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament in 2010, after posting a 13-3 GNAC record to capture its first outright league championship since 2006. During his senior year, he posted phenomenal scoring performances of 42, 38, 34, 33, 31, and 30. He was well on his way to being named the D-II National Player of the Year when his senior season was cut short by an ACL injury in January 2011.

He ended his college career as the No. 8 all-time scorer in SPU history. He graduated with a degree of International Communications in Business.

Professional career

San Miguel Beermen (ABL) (2011–2013)

Banchero was recruited by San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League after graduating in college. The Philippine team already noticed him while playing for SPU's varsity team and for the Italian team in the professional division. At that time, he was gunning for a career in the NBA, trying out his luck in several teams. On May 6, 2012, Banchero recorded 18 points and 15 assists in a 111-104 OT win over the Kuala Lumpur Dragons.[2]

While playing two seasons for the Beermen, he teamed up with Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, June Mar Fajardo, JR Cawaling, and other ex-PBA stars and led the team to the 2013 ABL Championship,[3] defeating the Indonesia Warriors. He was also awarded as the Finals MVP.

Boracay Rum Waves (PBA D-League)

After the ABL season ended in 2013, he set his sights in playing in the PBA. However, PBA rules required Fil-foreign players aged 25 years old or below to play in at least two conferences in the PBA D-League before becoming eligible for the draft.[4] He initially signed a contract with PBA D-League team Blackwater Sports,[5] however, due to a league provision that incoming players must apply through the draft,[6] he ended up being picked top overall and signed to a contract by Boracay Rum Waves.[7] In his D-League debut, he posted an impressive stat line of 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.[8] His contract with the Tanduay franchise lasted until after the end of the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.[9]

Alaska Aces (2014–2019)

After his stint in the D-League, he became eligible for the PBA Draft. During the 2014 PBA draft, he was earlier tipped to go as high as No. 2 in the draft, but some strange twists saw him land at No. 5 overall. He was drafted by Alaska.[10]

On September 9, 2014, he signed a 1-year contract with the Aces.[11] After consecutive finals appearances, Banchero extended [12] his contract for another year in September 2015 in a reported 2.7 million peso deal.

On September 16, 2016, Banchero, again, extended his tenure with the Aces. This time, to a longer three-year deal. Terms were not disclosed. The Fil-Italian cager stated that it was an "easy decision" stating "he is very happy with Alaska." [13] He credited the coaching staff and his teammates as the main reason he stayed with the team and hopes he will finish his career with Alaska.

Magnolia Hotshots (2020–present)

On November 3, 2019, the Aces traded Banchero to the Magnolia Hotshots for Rodney Brondial and Robert Herndon.[14]

International career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	MPG	Minutes per game	FG%	Field goal percentage
3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage	RPG	Rebounds per game
APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game	BPG	Blocks per game
PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high		Led the league

Year	Team	League	GP	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2011-12	San Miguel	ABL	11	27.6	.509	.182	.619	2.3	6.6	3.1	.0	12.7
2012-13	San Miguel	ABL	23	28.7	.417	.292	.691	2.8	3.9	2.1	.0	14.9
2014-15	Alaska	PBA	58	20.2	.403	.150	.657	3.3	2.2	.9	.0	7.0
2015-16	Alaska	PBA	60	22.6	.459	.364	.687	3.5	2.6	.9	.0	9.6
2016-17	Alaska	PBA	23	25.7	.393	.257	.680	3.2	4.2	.9	.2	8.7
2017-18	Alaska	PBA	44	30.3	.448	.327	.677	4.2	5.9	1.2	.1	12.1
2018-19	Alaska	PBA	38	30.8	.400	.313	.683	4.3	5.0	.8	.0	13.3
2019-20	Magnolia	PBA	1	22.0	.000	.000	.500	5.0	6.0	.0	.0	1.0
Career		All Leagues	258	25.6	.426	.298	.675	3.6	3.8	1.1	.0	10.5

Personal life

Banchero grew up in a multicultural family. He was born to an Italian father and Filipino mother, the latter Jacqueline Guerrero.[15]

Outside of basketball, he's a product endorser and model, and has also graced local magazine covers and was featured in several newspaper articles. He also dabbles in other sports like golf whenever he has the time.

References

1. "Chris Banchero Gets All-America Accolades". SPUFalcons.com. Seattle Pacific Falcons. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
2. "Petron Blaze Boosters 104 - Kuala Lumpur Dragons 111". EuroBasket. May 6, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
3. "Asi, Banchero power Beermen to ABL crown". The Philippine Star. June 13, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
4. "D-League is likely next step for Banchero on the way to PBA draft". Spin.ph. June 13, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
5. ""I'm under contract with Blackwater" - Chris Banchero". Spin.ph. September 9, 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
6. "No outright Blackwater stint for Banchero". Inquirer.net. August 25, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
7. "From San Miguel star, Banchero becomes hot Tanduay property after signing deal". Spin.ph. September 23, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
8. "D-League not merely a pit stop as Banchero bent on leading Boracay to title". Spin.ph. October 30, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
9. "Stint in Europe an option as Chris Banchero plots next move after D-League stint". Spin.ph. March 17, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
10. "Top Alaska draftee Chris Banchero gets ready to brush up on 'triangle offense'". Spin.ph. August 24, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
11. "Rookie Chris Banchero opts to sign just a one-year deal with Alaska". Spin.ph. September 9, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
13. Ramos, Gerry (September 16, 2016). "Chris Banchero says signing new three-year deal with Alaska an easy decision - SPIN.PH".
14. "Alaska trades Chris Banchero to Magnolia". pba.ph.
15. Richard Dy. "Chris Banchero plays down Pringle rivalry as former ABL stars take act to PBA". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 24, 2014.