Paolo Banchero

2022 - 6 - 24

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Image courtesy of "Orlando Pinstriped Post"

Orlando Magic select Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick in 2022 NBA ... (Orlando Pinstriped Post)

Those words from Adam Silver on Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn ushered in a new era in Magic basketball, as Orlando used the No. 1 pick to select ...

The Magic also passed on Chet Holmgren, who was selected second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The top shot-blocker in the draft, Holmgren is also one of the most efficient scorer’s in the class, displaying the ability to score inside and out. And who knows, maybe the forward from the Pacific Northwest is exactly who the Magic need to help solve some of the offensive woes that have been plaguing the roster of late. His build was the biggest concern surrounding Holmgren entering the draft, and possibly the only reason he wasn’t the consensus No. 1 pick. Orlando’s former sixth overall selection from the 2018 NBA Draft was not granted an extension by the Magic prior to the start of this past season and is set to become a restricted free agent. Depending on the system, I think Banchero will probably be able to get away with playing both the power forward and/or center positions at the next-level, so he does potentially offer the Magic some positional versatility. Until the final hour before the pick was made, most believed the Magic were set to take 6-10 Auburn forward Jabari Smith, who fell to the Houston Rockets with the third pick. Orlando has committed long-term (4/$50M contract agreed to last October) to fourth-year center Wendell Carter Jr., so you know for certain that he is a part of the organization’s future plans in their front-court. There was concern that, with his limitations in creating off the dribble, Smith’s ceiling did not go much higher than valuable role player. But his tendency to fall asleep or seem disinterested at times on the defensive end of the floor is something that doesn’t seem to fit the identity of what Coach Jamahl Mosley and his staff are trying to develop. Banchero possess advanced ball-handling and playmaking skills for a big, displaying an ability to create that Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren did not consistently show at the collegiate level. He does carry an incredibly strong and sculpted NBA-body which will allow him to compete nightly (from a physical standpoint) with the best big men in the world across an entire NBA schedule. Of course, Orlando has Isaac under contract for three more seasons (2022-2025), but it remains a bit unclear what exactly the Magic can expect to get from their fifth-year forward after he’s missed the last two seasons recovering from a serious left knee injury he suffered in the bubble (‘20). They also have 2019 first round pick Okeke in the mix (16th overall), but his presence on the roster shouldn’t/wouldn’t stop the Magic from drafting Banchero. And there’s certainly no guarantee that Bamba, who’s coming off a career season that saw him serve as the primary starter at the center position for the first time, will be back with the Magic next season either.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

NBA Draft: Paolo Banchero Goes No. 1 to Orlando Magic (The New York Times)

Banchero, a forward from Duke, helped his team reach the Final Four during this year's N.C.A.A. men's basketball tournament.

Before Banchero, the last Duke player selected No. 1 overall in the N.B.A. draft was Zion Williamson in 2019. The Magic drafted Shaquille O’Neal with the first pick in 1992; Chris Webber, whom they immediately traded for Penny Hardaway, in 1993; and Dwight Howard in 2004. Only the Houston Rockets, who had the third pick in this year’s draft after a 20-62 season, won fewer games than the Magic. In the minutes before his name was called, Banchero sat at a table on the floor of Barclays Center showing no emotion on his face. The Magic were on the clock and word began to spread that Banchero might be their pick. The Magic won this year’s draft lottery after finishing the season at 22-60, the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst record in the league.

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Orlando Magic make Duke's Paolo Banchero No. 1 pick in 2022 ... (ESPN)

The Magic used the top pick on Paolo Banchero, who became the fourth player from Duke to go No. 1 overall. Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren and Auburn's Jabari Smith ...

While Banchero was a surprise at No. 1, Holmgren was always expected to go to Oklahoma City with the second pick. Like Murray, Ivey had a breakout sophomore season, averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists at Purdue while showing off breathtaking athleticism and straight-line speed. Oklahoma City then took Williams with the 12th pick, making him the first player drafted from Santa Clara since Hall of Famer Steve Nash in 1996. One other trade was completed toward the end of the lottery selections. He will now join a Kings team that is trying to end a 16-year playoff drought and retool itself around guard De'Aaron Fox and big man Domantas Sabonis under new coach Mike Brown. I'm happy to get to Houston and just show them, give them what they picked. But the Magic turned things upside down by taking Banchero, who sported a bright purple suit with sequins, along with even brighter shoes, as he took to the stage and shook hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. "It's a lot of great players there with unique skill sets. I feel like I can kind of pair up with them and help enhance theirs as well as have their skill-sets enhance mine." "Orlando wasn't really sure yet, and just to be ready for whatever. I'm ready." I can't believe it, but I'm ready.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

NBA draft live updates: Orlando Magic selects Duke's Paolo ... (The Washington Post)

Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren went No. 2 to Oklahoma City and Houston selected Auburn's Jabari Smith at No. 3. Follow along for live updates.

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For Paolo Banchero & Chet Holmgren, NBA Draft fits include custom ... (Sporting News AU)

Banchero and Holmgren are expected to be two of the top-three picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. Their choice in jewelry seemed to reflect parts of their past, ...

But one thing isn't: Banchero and Holmgren are using their jewelry selection to show off their brand at the next level. It was his jewelry that drew the most attention, though; Banchero had a custom diamond-encrusted chain hanging around his neck. But it's all about the accessories; the glistening Patek Philippe watches and iced-out necklaces that cost six figures to acquire.

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Paolo Banchero is surprise No 1 overall pick for Magic in NBA draft (The Guardian)

The Orlando Magic took Paolo Banchero first overall in the NBA draft, with Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren going to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dieng was later traded to the Thunder. “That’s what I want to be.” Just ready to get in with the guys and get to work.

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Paolo Banchero reacts to becoming the No. 1 overall pick by the Magic (The Rookie Wire)

Banchero was made aware just seconds before the pick was in that the Magic had taken him, and was moved to tears when it happened.

They have a lot of team guys like myself and I think I’ll fit right in with them. He is a hard worker, incredibly talented and we’re thrilled to add him to our team.” He will arrive in Central Florida on Friday and formally meet everyone within the organization, likely for the first time. “They have a lot of talent. “Hearing the commissioner call my name was a priceless moment,” Banchero said. “We feel he was the best player in college basketball and we feel that he will continue to grow every year for many years to come.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

NBA Draft 2022: Orlando Magic make Duke's Paolo Banchero the ... (USA TODAY)

Magic tab the 6-foot-10 Paolo Banchero, who averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals for Coach K's final Duke team.

The Magic love their size and versatility, and Banchero adds to that. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals and shot 47.8% from the field and 33.8% on 3-pointers in his only season at Duke. Banchero’s versatility allows him to operate as the main ball-handler or facilitator. It was Orlando’s fifth lottery pick in the past six drafts and its first No. 1 pick since selecting Dwight Howard in 2004. Banchero, 19, is the fifth Duke player to go No. 1 overall and second in the past four drafts and is the 13th consecutive freshman selected with the first pick. Banchero, 6-10 and 250 pounds, might be the most NBA-ready players of the potential No. 1 picks because of his size, strength, poise and skillset that he applies to both ends of the court. NBA Draft 2022: Orlando Magic make Duke's Paolo Banchero the No. 1 pick

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NBA Draft 2022: Magic taking Paolo Banchero at No. 1 fooled the ... (CBSSports.com)

The top five picks of the NBA Draft turned out to be a relative shocker and may prove to be one of the more impactful drafts in NBA history.

But in their biggest moment in a generation on Thursday night, they twisted the future of the entire NBA — and fooled the rest of the league in doing so. The top five picks going on to be the five best guys, well that has never happened. That in mind, it's been a long time since the top of an NBA Draft felt this consequential. There's a reasonable chance the best player in this draft fell to them at No. 3. This was one of the more intriguing lead-ups into a draft in some time. In what could prove to be one of the most talented drafts in recent history, Orlando and Sacramento — two franchises that have been bad seemingly for generations — subverted expectations and gave us mayhem. If Smith hits huge and becomes the best player, it's not unreasonable we could look up in 2027 and see the Rockets competing for NBA Finals appearances while the Thunder and Magic are still picking in the lottery. Has this ever happened in the history of the draft? Will the Banchero and Murray picks prove to be savvy, or will those decisions backfire on the two notoriously underperforming franchises that made them? Ever since the night of the lottery, May 17, it seemed all the momentum was behind the idea that the Magic were going to go with convention and take Smith at No. 1. The beautiful commotion of all of this is: we don't know. Despite the fact that — as we previously laid out right here — the debate over who should go No. 1 was as compelling as we'd seen in years.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Paolo Banchero chosen as overall first pick by Orlando Magic in ... (CNN)

The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero as the first pick of the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday.

I wanted to be in the NBA, but I didn't know I would be here." "First off, just a winning mindset, a work-first mindset," he added. "Just ready to get in with the guys and get to work. "This is everything man, I worked day in and day out just to get to this level and I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her and I'm just so happy, I'm just so happy," said Jalen of his selection. "This isn't even a dream. I feel like this is a fantasy.

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Paolo Banchero NBA Draft timeline: Magic blow up mock drafts by ... (Sporting News)

Banchero didn't even have an official visit or go through a workout with the Magic during the pre-draft process.

... I didn't know I would be here, man." The Magic kicked off Thursday night's event by selecting Duke's Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick, blowing up several mock drafts that predicted Auburn's Jabari Smith Jr. and Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren would be the first two players off the board. 7:55 p.m. ET — Banchero is suddenly "looming as the frontrunner" to be the top pick. 8:15 p.m. ET — The Magic make it official. 8:09 p.m. ET — Oh, so this is really happening. 8:41 a.m. ET — Wojnarowski reports that the order of the first three picks — Smith, Holmgren and Banchero — is growing "increasingly firm."

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Image courtesy of "Olympics"

Who is Paolo Banchero? Italian-American picked first by Orlando ... (Olympics)

The 19-year-old from Duke seen as a shock at number one pick on a night of surprises. Here's why the selection made waves in Italy.

12) Jalen Williams, SG, picked by Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers) Here are the top first round picks. "I'm proud to wear the Azzurri jersey," he added, "I will never forget when I received it for the first time. Orlando had the first pick. He eventually went third to the Houston Rockets. Here's why the selection made waves in Italy.

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Image courtesy of "Orlando Pinstriped Post"

Twitter reacts to the Orlando Magic drafting Paolo Banchero (Orlando Pinstriped Post)

Most tweets probably wouldn't have been very complimentary after the Magic selected a lanky high school kid named Dwight Howard over UConn's national- ...

Thats one of the things the league is looking for— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) June 24, 2022 The best player in his draft class.— The Brotherhood (@BrotherhoodCBB) Magic's Jeff Weltman: The thing about Paolo is there isnt one thing. Paolo Banchero gives the Magic a 6-10 big with versatile scoring from inside and outside. He can drive with power finesse, plus he’s a creative passer off the dribble. -— Dan Savage (@Dan_Savage) @OrlandoMagicPresident of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman on keeping the pick close to the vest. "When you're playing poker, you don't put your cards on the table, right?" Banchero has been our No. 1 prospect all year because he’s the best shot creator in the class. Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/1Ud7Yf7B8L June 24, 2022 And how these players develop over the next few years will make most tweets look idiotic, and perhaps some prophetic. Paolo Banchero is a Orlando Magic— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) @SociosUSAx #MagicDraft pic.twitter.com/gxFVzl1Rl3 June 24, 2022 — James D. Jackson (@JamesDJackson15)— James D. Jackson (@JamesDJackson15) #Thunderfans reaction to the Orlando Magic taking Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/wdBcGJWXyP June 24, 2022

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'The Sporting News 7' podcast: Paolo Banchero goes No. 1, Kyrie ... (Sporting News)

Magic make Paolo Banchero their first pick, where next for Kyrie Irving if he nixes the Nets, and Aaron Judge proves his worth ahead of arbitration hearing.

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Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero on lofty expectations ... (ESPN)

No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero said he's very familiar with lofty expectations, having faced them "my whole life."

"But we also understand, when you walk into this building, you're an Orlando Magic and there's a standard and a set of things that we're going to need to do night in and night out to make everyone successful." "It was a great job of them doing the due diligence and keeping it quiet," Miller said. Mosley -- who will run some practices going into Summer League, but will leave the game responsibilities in Las Vegas to Magic assistant Jesse Mermuys -- said he doesn't intend to coach Banchero any differently than any other player. "There are just so many things that go into this," Magic president Jeff Weltman said. But something that set Banchero apart, in their eyes, was the way Orlando believes he makes the game easier for teammates. Summer League practice awaits, and Banchero and second-round pick Caleb Houstan of Michigan both intend to play. But the actual timetable on when they made the decision to take him No. 1 remains a secret. What happens over the next few days will be a whirlwind. Banchero arrived in Orlando on Friday, one day after his name got permanently etched on the list of No. 1 draft picks. "There's things that you're grabbing from each one that you're like, 'Oh, man, wow, that can be great for us,'" Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. The Magic looked at every option with the No. 1 pick. Mike Miller, Banchero's agent, leaned over and broke the news by simply saying "Congratulations."

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Image courtesy of "Basketball Forever"

Paolo Banchero Rises Up Draft Boards to Become Top Selection (Basketball Forever)

Duke' freshman forward Paolo Banchero rose up draft boards Thursday night to become the unexpected number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

That’s going to be a great addition to our team.” He’ll also be a great playmaker, decision maker, and he’s a giver and a distributor. “That’s the one thing we’ve constantly talked about is the versatility and the ability to play both sides of the ball.

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Image courtesy of "NBA.com"

Day after becoming No. 1 pick, Paolo Banchero arrives in Orlando (NBA.com)

The 6-foot-10 forward will officially start workouts next week for Orlando's July 7 opener at NBA Summer League.

“But we also understand, when you walk into this building, you’re an Orlando Magic and there’s a standard and a set of things that we’re going to need to do night in and night out to make everyone successful.” “It was a great job of them doing the due diligence and keeping it quiet,” Miller said. Mosley — who will run some practices going into Summer League but will leave the game responsibilities in Las Vegas to Magic assistant Jesse Mermuys — said he doesn’t intend to coach Banchero any differently than any other player. There’s so many things that factor into a conversation like this that you can literally go on for months more arguing it. But something that set Banchero apart, in their eyes, was the way Orlando believes he makes the game easier for teammates. Summer League practice awaits, and Banchero and second-round pick Caleb Houstan of Michigan both intend to play. But the actual timetable on when they made the decision to take him No. 1 remains a secret. What happens over the next few days will be a whirlwind. “There’s things that you’re grabbing from each one that you’re like, ‘Oh, man, wow, that can be great for us,’” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. Banchero arrived in Orlando on Friday, one day after his name got permanently etched on the list of No. 1 draft picks. The Magic looked at every option with the No. 1 pick. Mike Miller, Banchero’s agent, leaned over and broke the news by simply saying “Congratulations.”

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