Two Duke basketball players facing charges after DWI arrest

According to court records, Michael Savarino, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s grandson, was arrested. For DWI while star freshman Paolo Banchero is charged with aiding and abetting DWI. Duke basketball players charged Two Duke basketball players face charges in Orange County, North Carolina, following a driving while impaired arrest on Nov. 14, 2021. 

Court records show Michael Savarino, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s grandson, was arrested for DWI while star freshman Paolo Banchero is charged with aiding and abetting DWI. Here are stories related to the incident. 

Basketball Players in Legal Charges

Two Duke basketball players face charges in Orange County following a driving while impaired arrest early Sunday morning. According to court records, Michael Savarino, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s grandson, was arrested for DWI while star freshman Paolo Banchero is charged with aiding and abetting DWI. N.C. 

the 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 ultimately determined by the Vice President/Director of Athletics and University officials.” The 20-year-old Savarino has a court date of Dec. 9 on his DWI charge. Banchero, who turned 19 last Friday, has a Dec. 8 court date. 

Their status for Tuesday night’s home game with Gardner-Webb was uncertain as of the afternoon. N.C. Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Christopher Knox told the News & Observer that Savarino was stopped for a stop sign violation while driving on Bushy Cook Road at the intersection with West Ten Road, west of Hillsborough. The officer reported observing signs of impairment, namely a “strong odor of alcohol” and “red glassy eyes.” Savarino admitted to having consumed alcohol and administer a field sobriety test. The officer gave him a “poor” report on that test. Savarino was taken into custody and did a breathalyzer test, completed at 2:38 a.m. 

Two Duke basketball

His driver’s license suspends for 30 days. Banchero was charged with aiding and abetting DWI and released at the site of the traffic stop. According to the citation, Banchero was a passenger in the back seat. Aiding and abetting a DWI in North Carolina can charge when a person knowingly turns over their vehicle to someone who is impaired or fails to prevent an impaired person from getting behind the wheel.

Family of Savarino

 Savarino is the son of Debbie Krzyzewski Savarino, who is the oldest daughter of Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie. Debbie Savarino is an assistant athletics director at Duke. Michael Savarino joins the Blue Devils as a walk-on in 2019 and was elevated to a scholarship player this past offseason. He saw his first game action of this season on Friday night, playing four minutes in Duke’s 82-56 win over Army West Point at Cameron Indoor Stadium. 

Leave a Reply