The Orlando Magic won the NBA Draft Lottery last month and since then, the Magic have conducted their due diligence on multiple players in the 2022 draft class.
The focus came down to three players, mainly: Jabari Smith Jr. out of Auburn, Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga, and Paolo Banchero out of Duke. Most of the Mock Draft boards had the Magic taking Smith. Once the NBA Draft came, the Magic surprised many and selected Banchero.
Magic Make Right Selection In Banchero
Banchero was regarded by some as the most complete and NBA-ready player in the 2022 NBA Draft Class. During his lone season at Duke, Banchero averaged 17.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game.
Now that Banchero is a member of the Magic, the work immediately begins. Banchero has traveled down to Orlando (the day after the draft) to meet with the coaching staff and begin his workouts. Banchero will also be playing in the NBA Summer League this year, which begins on July 7th.
For Banchero, things are now real and the work now begins.
Paolo Banchero (@Pp_doesit) gets selected No. 1 overall by the @OrlandoMagic in the 2022 #NBADraft presented by State Farm! pic.twitter.com/6kdG4NJgAx
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2022
No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero (@Pp_doesit) talks about what he's bringing to the @OrlandoMagic.
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2022
The 2022 #NBADraft presented by State Farm continues on ABC and ESPN pic.twitter.com/uIHHcqgBoV
With the 1st pick of the 2022 #NBADraft the @OrlandoMagic select Paolo Banchero (@Pp_doesit)‼️
— Jr. NBA (@jrnba) June 24, 2022
Check out Paolo in his #JrNBA days 🏀 pic.twitter.com/7cW6QDEYI6
"I can't believe what just happened." – @Pp_doesit
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 24, 2022
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/wweOt0FZBv
