Chris Banchero

Christopher Guerrero Banchero (born January 24, 1989) is a Filipino-Italian professional basketball player currently playing for Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 5th overall by Alaska. He is considered as one of the best point guard in his draft class and can also slide to the shooting guard spot.

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.

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,^[2] 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.^[3] He initially signed a contract with PBA D-League team Blackwater Sports,^[4] however, due to a league provision that incoming players must apply through the draft,^[5] he ended up being picked top overall and signed to a contract by Boracay Rum Waves.^[6] In his D-League debut, he posted an impressive stat line of 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.^[7] His contract with the Tanduay franchise lasted until after the end of the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.^[8]

Alaska Aces (PBA)

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.^[9]

On September 9, 2014, he signed a 1-year contract with the Aces.^[10]

PBA career statistics

Correct as of November 10, 2015^[11]

Season-by-season averages

Personal life

Banchero grew up in a multicultural family. He was born to an Italian father and Filipino mother, the latter Jacqueline Guerrero.^[12]

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