“I love Duke, by far, but it was like sometimes, it feel like you were a zoo animal or something”- NBA draft’s No. 1 pick felt like he was under the microscope at all times in college due to his talent

Several NBA players made their debuts this week. Among those to take the floor for the first time was Orlando Magic's No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero. He lived up to the hype as he posted 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 113-109 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Before Banchero made the jump to the league, he spent a year playing for one of the most prestigious college basketball programs. In his one season at Duke, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Banchero was recently a guest on the "Young Person Basketball Podcast" with teammate R.J. Hampton. It was there that he discussed how his year at Duke went and the experiences that prepared him for life in the NBA:

"At Duke, it was, you were a celebrity. People treated you like you were royalty there if you were on the basketball team. ... Being the highly touted player and the one who everybody knows, it was just kind of elevated even more. ...

"I love Duke, by far, but it was like sometimes, it feel like you were a zoo animal or something. In class, you would see them whispering about you, staring at you. I then caught people trying to record me."

Paolo Banchero gives prime example of how college can prepare young prospects for NBA life

Paolo Banchero during Orlando Magic's Media Day.

For some time now, college basketball has been in the "one and done" era. Instead of staying for all four years, top prospects typically make the jump to the NBA after their freshman season.

Over the summer, reports emerged of the NBA potentially lowering the draft age to 18 again. Many supported the change. Paolo Banchero, however, brought up a good example of how some time in a different setting can help before entering the league.

While some players might be ready to make the jump after high school based on a talent perspective, there is more to it, though. Spending a year in college or playing overseas helps guys prepare for the league in terms of maturity.

This crucial aspect is one of the reasons why the league came up with the G-League Ignite team. The team helps incoming prospects prepare better for this major life change.

Even at the college level, Banchero touched on how things changed for him from a popularity perspective. Before he was even close to being drafted first overall, he caught a glimpse of the incoming fame and popularity. The moments he encountered at Duke proved to be a good stepping stone for what was to come.

In today's social media age, players constantly have phones and cameras shoved in their face. All it takes is one slip-up for a player's career to be completely derailed. Without the experience he had at Duke, guys like Banchero and top picks before him could have been greatly overwhelmed upon entering the league.

The NBA has a lot to consider when it comes to changing the draft age. But they should look at stuff like Banchero's thoughts when measuring the importance of maturity.