According to an exclusive report from Steve Wiseman at the News & Observer, Duke basketball players Michael Savarino, the grandson of head coach Mike Krzyzewski, was arrested for driving while impaired early Sunday morning. Duke’s star freshman forward Paolo Banchero was also present; he was cited for aiding and abetting DWI. Banchero was released at the scene.
The arrest took place in Orange County, around 1:10 a.m. — essentially hours after Duke defeated Campbell, Saturday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Exclusive: 2 Duke hoops players face charges following early AM DWI arrest https://t.co/iKacmelUDx
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) November 16, 2021
According to Wiseman’s report: Savarino, 20, has a court date set for Dec. 9 regarding his DWI charge. For Banchero — a projected top-3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft — a court date has been set for Dec. 8. Banchero turned 19 last week.
Coach K, in a statement to the N&O, said that further actions will be decided on by university officials:
We are reviewing a legal matter involving two members of the men’s basketball team,” Krzyzewski said in a statement released by Duke athletics to the N&O. “Any further actions as a result of this situation will ultimately be determined by the Vice President/Director of Athletics and University officials.
Savarino’s mother, Debbie Savarino, works for Duke as an assistant athletics director.
Duke is back in action Tuesday night: Gardner-Webb at Cameron Indoor Stadium. However, the status of Banchero and Savarino is currently undetermined.
Banchero is Duke’s leading scorer (19.3 points) and rebounder (8.7 rebounds).