Two Duke men’s basketball players are facing charges for driving while impaired in Orange County after an incident west of Hillsborough this weekend.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle on Bushy Cook Road at the intersection of West Ten Road in the Efland community shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday. Highway Patrol Spokesperson Chris Knox confirmed details to Chapelboro on Tuesday, saying officers pulled the vehicle over for a stop sign violation.

Upon inspection, the highway patrol officer determined the driver, 20 year-old Michael Savarino of Durham, showed signs of impairment due to alcohol. After exiting the vehicle, Savarino underwent a breath alcohol test that resulted in 0.08 percent.

According to Knox, Savarino faces three charges: driving while impaired, driving impaired while under 21 and failing to stop at a stop sign. He was taken into custody without incident.

Additionally, highway patrol officers charged 19-year-old Paolo Banchero with aiding and abetting someone driving while impaired. Banchero was cited and released on Sunday morning.

Banchero, a freshman from Seattle, is currently projected as a top pick in next summer’s NBA Draft. He leads the Blue Devils in both points (19.3) and rebounds (8.7) per game.

Savarino is the grandson of Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. The junior went to high school at Durham Academy before enrolling at Duke. He has appeared in one game for the Blue Devils this season.

Savarino’s court date for the charges is set for December 9 in Orange County. Banchero is set to appear on his charges in Orange County on December 8.


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