Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard Reflects on Hoops with NBA Star Paolo Banchero

DURHAM, N.C. — Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard recently shared memories of his time playing pickup basketball with Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero during their days at Duke University. The revelation came during a media appearance ahead of Notre Dame’s national championship game against Ohio State.

Leonard, who transferred to Notre Dame after three seasons at Duke, recounted late-night games at Cameron Indoor Stadium with Banchero and other Blue Devils basketball players. “I was always trying to sneak in there and play with them boys, and see if I could really prove myself,” Leonard said in a recent interview with Robert Griffin III.

Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, confirmed the story on social media, writing, “Summer nights in Cameron used to go up!! We used to get it in at the indoor football field too.” Former Duke guard Trevor Keels, now with the G League’s Iowa Wolves, also chimed in, adding, “Nah facts!! We had the gloves & all.”

Leonard, a standout athlete at Fairhope High School in Alabama, received basketball scholarship offers from Saint Mary's and UAB before choosing football. He scored over 2,000 points in high school and led his team to a 27-2 record as a senior. Despite his basketball prowess, Leonard focused on football at Duke, where he served as a backup before becoming the starting quarterback.

Reflecting on his basketball skills, Leonard admitted, “I didn’t necessarily have the handles [to walk on at Duke]. To have handles, you’ve got to be in the gym all day, every day.” He added that one of his “biggest regrets” was not approaching legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski about joining the basketball team.

Leonard and Notre Dame are now preparing for Monday’s national championship game against Ohio State. After briefly exiting the semifinal against Penn State due to concussion protocol, Leonard is expected to start in the title game.