Before coming to the NBA, Paolo Banchero had a long list of career goals. This week, he achieved a first: being elected Rookie of the Year. A goal achieved in style as he won the “Rookie of The Year” trophy on Tuesday, receiving 98 of the 100 first-place votes. Result: he obtained 494 points out of the 500 possible in the final vote!
“This award means a lot to me because towards the end of my high school career, I started thinking about the NBA and I had set a lot of goals that I wanted to achieve, and Rookie of the Year. was part of it” confirms Paolo Banchero.
Selected in 1st position by the Magic, he more than lived up to expectations during his first season in the NBA with averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 72 games played. He became the third player in franchise history to win Rookie of the Year, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992/93) and Mike Miller (2000/01). Ironically, the latter is also his agent.
He equals the Shaq and LeBron
“As soon as I was drafted, I felt the affection and support of this city and this franchise” continues the Orlando winger. “My teammates let me know they were there for me if I needed anything. I immediately felt the family atmosphere that reigns here … I plan to stay here for a very long time and to build a solid relationship with all the inhabitants of the city of Orlando”.
The Duke product has been named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four times in a row, joining Shaquille O’Neal as the only player in franchise history to achieve that performance. He also scored 20 points 40 times, exactly the same number as LeBron James during his rookie season.
“The reason we are all here today (watching Paolo Banchero receive the award) is because Paolo won without cheating” said Jeff Weltmanthe president of the Magic. “Paolo did not force to obtain this prize. This is the trophy that came to him. Everything he talked about, including DNA, winning, serving the team… His teammates know that’s who he really is.”.
Collective progress and strong ambitions
After a very complicated start to the season with only 5 wins in 25 games, the Magic recovered very well afterwards with a positive balance of 29-28 over the remaining 57 games. In the end, the franchise ended the season with an honorable record of 34 wins for 48 losses, 12 wins more than the previous season. In addition, they have developed a core of very promising young players with Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz.
Enough to feed great collective ambitions for next season. “Next year, it will be the playoffs or nothing” warns Paolo Banchero. “That’s all I care about and all the guys are focused on that. We will do our best to finish in the best possible position next year and to play a series in seven games. We know what needs to be done and we will work every day to make it happen.”.
| Paolo Banchero | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| Total | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
