Tag: paolo banchero

Magic exercise contract options on Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner

Per President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, the Orlando Magic have exercised their third-year club option on Paolo Banchero, as well as their fourth-year team options on guard Jalen Suggs and forward Franz Wagner.

Orlando originally selected Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft. During his rookie season with the Magic last year, he participated in 72 games and made 72 starts while averaging a team-best 20.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and 3.7 apg in 33.7 minutes per game. Banchero was selected unanimously for the 2022–23 NBA All–Rookie First Team and was named the 2022–23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year.

Orlando originally selected Suggs (6’5″, 212, 6/3/01) in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft. All with Orlando, he has appeared in 101 regular-season NBA games (64 starts), averaging 10.8 points per game, 3.6 assists per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, and 1.25 steals per game in 25.3 minutes per game.

Orlando originally selected Wagner (6’10”, 230, 8/27/01) in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft. He has played and started in 159 regular-season NBA games in his career, all with Orlando, averaging 16.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game in 31.7 minutes per game while shooting.850 (460-541) from the charity stripe. Wagner was selected for the NBA All-Rookie First Team for 2021–22.

Contracts for all three players extend through the 2024–25 season.

Official 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie Teams

Via ESPN.com:

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams — the other two finalists for the award — were all named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team on Monday afternoon, as the league continues its postseason awards rollout.

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray joined them on the All-Rookie First Team, with Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, teammate Jalen Duren, San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan and Houston Rockets forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason comprising the All-Rookie Second Team.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero wins 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year.

For his accomplishments, he will be awarded the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy by the league.

Banchero joins Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and Mike Miller (2000-01) as the only Orlando Magic players ever to be named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Banchero received 494 points (98 first place votes) from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.

Selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero played and started in 72 games this season with Orlando, averaging a team-high 20.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 3.7 apg. in 33.7 minpg. He ranked among all NBA leaders in rebounding (T-38th) and minutes played (T-37th). Banchero led all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while also ranking among rookie leaders in rebounding (5th), assists (3rd), free throw percentage (7th), steals (4th) and blocked shots (7th).

Banchero became just the sixth NBA rookie in the last 50 seasons (since 1973-74) to average 20+ ppg., 6+ rpg. and 3+ apg. (minimum 50 games). He scored 20+ points 40 times and 30+ points six times this season, the most by any NBA rookie. The 40 20+ point games were the second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 60, 1992-93) and tied for fifth-most in NBA history for most 20+ point games by a rookie age 20-or-younger. Banchero’s six 30+ point games were also second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 10, 1992-93).

Banchero was named the Kia NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four consecutive times from December 2022-March/April 2023, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) as the only players in franchise history to win the honor four straight times.

The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy features a player palming two basketballs at once. Chamberlain’s 1959-60 season is unmatched for an NBA rookie. He averaged 37.6 ppg. and 27.0 rpg. in 46.4 minpg. for the Philadelphia Warriors, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. His career highlights include two NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, four league MVPs, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP and inclusion on the league’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero had an outstanding rookie season

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

As the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero faced a plethora of expectations — internally and externally.

He met his own exceptions as a rookie while exceeding others.

“I wouldn’t say I exceeded them but I definitely met them,” Banchero said. “I did everything I wanted to do in my first year. It’s definitely time to take it to another level this next year. That’s what I’m excited about.”

While shifting his focus to his offseason work, Banchero also took time to reflect on the season that led to him being the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.

With averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, he became the 12th rookie in the league’s history to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for a season.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of Month for Dec. 2022

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December 2022.

Banchero becomes the ninth player in franchise history to be named the league’s Rookie of the Month, joining Dennis Scott, Shaquille O’Neal (four times), Anfernee Hardaway (twice), Mike Miller (twice), Victor Oladipo (twice), Elfrid Payton, R.J. Hampton and Franz Wagner.

Banchero (6’10”, 255, 11/12/02) played and started in 15 games during December, averaging 19.1 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 4.1 apg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 33.5 minpg. He led all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while ranking second in assists. Banchero scored 20+ points in seven consecutive games from Dec. 5-18, tying the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history (O’Neal, Feb. 11-26, 1993).

Selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has played and started in 30 games this season with Orlando, averaging a team-high 20.9 ppg., 6.7 rpg. and 3.9 apg. in 34.1 minpg. He ranks among all NBA leaders in scoring (33rd) and minutes played (T-36th). Banchero leads all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while also ranking among leaders in rebounding (3rd), assists (2nd), FG percentage (8th, .435), free throw percentage (6th, .755), steals (5th) and blocked shots (6th). He has scored 20+ points 21 times this season, the most of any NBA rookie.

Orlando Magic sign rookie Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic yesterday signed forward Paolo Banchero, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced.

Banchero was selected by Orlando in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) played and started in all 39 games last season as a freshman at Duke University, averaging 17.2 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg., while shooting .478 (245-513) from the floor. He led all true freshmen in the nation in scoring. Banchero led the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in minutes played. He also ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding and sixth in the conference in scoring.

Banchero was named Second Team All-America by the NABC and USBWA, while being a Third Team All-America selection by The Associated Press and The Sporting News. Among his many accolades, he was one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding player, and one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Banchero was named to the All-ACC First Team, the ACC All-Freshmen Team and was the ACC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team, the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA West Region’s Most Outstanding Player, leading Duke to the 2022 NCAA Final Four.

While at O’Dea High School in Seattle, WA, Banchero led the team to the Class 3A state championship as a sophomore (2018-19) and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. As a junior (2019-20), he was named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, a MaxPreps Junior All-American and the MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year. Despite his senior season being postponed due to the pandemic, Banchero was named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith First Team All-American and a Sports Illustrated All-American.

Orlando Magic select Paolo Banchero with first pick in 2022 NBA Draft

With the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected forward Paolo Banchero.

Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) played and started in all 39 games last season as a freshman at Duke University, averaging 17.2 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg., while shooting .478 (245-513) from the floor. He led all true freshmen in the nation in scoring. Banchero led the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in minutes played. He also ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding and sixth in the conference in scoring.

Banchero was named Second Team All-America by the NABC and USBWA, while being a Third Team All-America selection by The Associated Press and The Sporting News. Among his many accolades, he was one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding player, and one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Banchero was named to the All-ACC First Team, the ACC All-Freshmen Team and was the ACC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team, the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA West Region’s Most Outstanding Player, leading Duke to the 2022 NCAA Final Four.

While at O’Dea High School in Seattle, WA, Banchero led the team to the Class 3A state championship as a sophomore (2018-19) and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. As a junior (2019-20), he was named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, a MaxPreps Junior All-American and the MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year. Despite his senior season being postponed due to the pandemic, Banchero was named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith First Team All-American and a Sports Illustrated All-American.

His name is correctly pronounced “pow-loh ban-CARE-oh.”

Welcome to the NBA, Paolo.