From Dukies To Drunkies: Paolo Banchero Among Blue Devils Charged

On the court, the Duke basketball season couldn't have gotten off to a better start. The seventh-ranked Blue Devils are 4-0, and all but one of their wins have come by double digits. Unfortunately, things haven't gone as smoothly away from the hardwood. On Sunday morning, Coach K's grandson, Michael Savarino and top recruit Paolo Banchero, were charged with crimes related to DWI.

"We'll handle that internally," Coach Mike Krzyzewski said following Tuesday's 92-52 win over Gardner-Webb University, per The Fayetteville Observer. "We're already handling it."

Early on Sunday, Savarino was driving with Banchero as his passenger when they were pulled over in Orange County, North Carolina. Savarino, whose mother Debbie is Coach K's oldest daughter, was arrested and charged with DWI. Bachero, who is projected by most to be a top-3 pick in next summer's NBA draft, was charged with aiding and abetting DWI, but not arrested.

Per North Carolina law, aiding and abetting DWI is defined as "when a person knowingly encourages, aids, advises or instigates another person to drive, or attempt to drive, while impaired."

Banchero's charge didn't keep him out of Duke's last game, a 40-point win over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday night. The freshman phenom scored 10 points and grabbed eight boards. Savarino, on the other hand, did not see the floor.

“It’s two different situations," Krzyzewski said in reference to Banchero playing. "Headlines might make it look like it’s the same. It’s not.”

Both players are scheduled to appear in court in the second week of December. Until then, it's likely that only one of them will appear on the court.

Follow along on Twitter: @OhioAF