RALEIGH — Mike Krzyzewski called the DWI charges against two of his players over the weekend, including his grandson Michael Savarino and freshman phenom Paolo Banchero, a “violation of our standards.”
“We’ll handle that internally,” Coach K said after Tuesday’s 92-52 win over Gardner-Webb University. “We’re already handling it.”
It was Savarino who was arrested Sunday morning at 1:10 a.m. by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and charged with DWI with Banchero in his back seat. Banchero was charged, but not arrested, with aiding and abetting DWI.
What we know so far: Duke star Paolo Banchero, Coach K’s grandson Michael Savarino arrested
Previous reporting: Duke’s Paolo Banchero will play tonight despite aiding and abetting DWI charge
More: Duke’s Paolo Banchero will play despite aiding and abetting DWI charge
Savarino was stopped for a stop sign violation while driving a white 2017 Jeep SUV registered to Banchero on Brushy Creek Road outside Hillsborough.
North Carolina law states that aiding and abetting DWI is classified as “when a person knowingly encourages, aids, advises or instigates another person to drive, or attempt to drive, while impaired.”
Banchero played and started in Tuesday’s game. Savarino was not in attendance. It was not made clear when he would return.
Coach K addresses the arrest and DWI charge against his grandson, Michael Savarino, and the involvement of freshman Paolo Banchero, who was charged with aiding and abetting DWI. pic.twitter.com/KKTAmwCPtP
— David Thompson (@daveth89) November 17, 2021
The 20-year-old Savarino has a court date on Dec. 9 on his DWI charge. Banchero, 19, has a Dec. 15 court date.
“It’s two different situations,” Krzyzewski said on why Banchero played. “Headlines might make it look like it’s the same, it’s not.”
According to an arrest report obtained from the Orange County District Court, Savarino submitted to two breathalyzer tests and blew a .08 BAC. According to the report, the arresting officer said he smelled alcohol on Savarino’s breath.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on outside of basketball right now,” freshman guard Trevor Keels said. “There are too many people already saying a bunch of negative comments, and we’ve got to be there to protect our brothers.”
Banchero, who scored 10 points and had eight rebounds against Gardner-Webb, was named the ACC’s preseason player of the year and freshman of the year and is projected to be a potential No. 1 overall draft pick in next summer’s NBA Draft.
Savarino is the son of Debbie Krzyzewski Savarino, the oldest daughter of Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie. Debbie Savarino is an assistant athletic director at Duke.
Duke junior forward Wendell Moore and Savarino’s roommate said he spoke to Savarino immediately after Tuesday’s game.
“What happens between us stays between us,” Moore said. “He’s doing great, we’re doing great as a team.”
David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Duke’s Coach K responds to DWI charges against Banchero, Savarino