Chris Banchero

Christopher Guerrero Banchero (born January 24, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted fifth overall by Alaska in the 2014 PBA draft.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Guerrero and the surname or paternal family name is Banchero.

Chris Banchero
No. 6 – Meralco Bolts
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1989-01-24) January 24, 1989
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High schoolO'Dea (Seattle, Washington)
CollegeSeattle Pacific (2007–2011)
PBA draft2014: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the Alaska Aces
Playing career2012–present
Career history
2012–2013San Miguel Beermen (ABL)
2013–2014Boracay Rum Waves
2014–2019Alaska Aces
2019–2020Magnolia Hotshots
2021Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
2022–presentMeralco Bolts
Career highlights and awards

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 (2019–2020)

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

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2021)

On February 17, 2021, Banchero, along with 2021 first round pick and 2021 second round pick, was traded to the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters for Calvin Abueva and 2021 first round pick.[15] On February 1, 2022, Banchero became an unrestricted free agent.[16]

Meralco Bolts (2022–present)

On February 2, 2022, Banchero signed a three-year contract with the Meralco Bolts.[17] He first rejected a new three-year contract extension with former team Phoenix before signing with Meralco.[18]

Career statistics

ABL
Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  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
Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 San Miguel 1127.6.509.182.6192.36.63.1.012.7
2012–13 San Miguel 2328.7.417.292.6912.83.92.1.014.9

PBA

As of the end of 2022–23 season[19][20]

Season-by-season averages
Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Alaska 5820.2.406.150.6573.32.2.8.07.0
2015–16 Alaska 6022.7.459.364.6873.52.6.9.09.6
2016–17 Alaska 2525.5.406.270.6723.24.1.8.29.1
2017–18 Alaska 4430.3.448.327.6774.25.91.2.112.1
2019 Alaska 3830.8.400.313.6834.34.9.8.013.3
Magnolia
2020 Magnolia 1226.4.403.233.5872.93.5.8.110.8
2021 Phoenix 3327.4.431.270.6363.23.5.9.010.7
Meralco
2022–23 Meralco 4523.8.392.314.6362.43.2.7.07.5
Career 31525.3.422.298.6643.43.6.9.09.7

Personal life

Banchero was born in Seattle, Washington[21] to a Filipino mother, Jacqueline Guerrero, and a father of Italian descent.[22] His paternal cousin, Paolo Banchero, was the first overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft and plays for the Orlando Magic.[23] They both won championships at O'Dea High School.

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. "Chris Banchero signs one-year, P2.7M extension with Alaska | InterAksyon.com | Sports5". Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  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. "Phoenix trades Abueva to Magnolia for Banchero, 2 draft picks". PBA.ph. February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  16. "Chris Banchero chooses to become an unrestricted free agent". Spin.ph. February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  17. Lozada, Bong (February 2, 2022). "PBA: Free agent Chris Banchero joins Meralco Bolts". Sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. Ramos, Gerry (February 2, 2022). "Phoenix admits Banchero turned down offer for three-year extension". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  19. "Chris Banchero Player Profile, Meralco Bolts - PBA-Online.net". PBA-Online.net.
  20. "Chris Banchero Player Profile, Meralco Bolts - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  21. "Chris Banchero". Retrieved July 7, 2022. BIRTHPLACE Seattle, WA
  22. Richard Dy. "Chris Banchero plays down Pringle rivalry as former ABL stars take act to PBA". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  23. PAANO Na-Impluwensyahan Ni Chris Banchero Si Paolo Sa Basketball, retrieved June 20, 2022
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