The Orlando Magic has selected Paolo Banchero, 19, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He was one of the three top options to choose from.
He is the fifth player from Duke University to go No. 1 overall in the draft and the second in the past four drafts. Additionally, he is the 13th freshman in a row to be selected with the first pick.
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This year was the fourth time the team won the first overall pick in its history. It started in 1992 with Shaquille O’Neal. Chris Webber was the next first pick in 1993, whom they traded for Penny Hardaway, followed by Dwight Howard in 2004.
Before Banchero, the last player from the Duke Blue Devils chosen as the No. 1 overall was Zion Williamson in 2019.
Although Banchero was selected as the No. 1 overall, Jabari Smith from the Auburn Tigers and Chet Holmgren from the Gonzaga Bulldogs were the ones predicted as the first and second pick in most mock drafts.
Holmgren ended as the No. 2 pick, while Smith was drafted as Houston’s No. 3 pick. Holmgren is widely regarded as one of the most efficient scorers, but his build was the likely reason he was not the No. 1 in most mock drafts.
On the other hand, it is also argued that Smith could be a shutdown defender and is versatile enough to guard multiple positions. However, the player has limitations in dribbling.
After shaking hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, ESPN interviewed Banchero live. He was speechless for a moment. He said that he had been dreaming of being in the NBA.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a member of the Orlando Magic. Feels like this is a fantasy. Being the No. 1 overall pick, this is crazy,” he said.
How Banchero will fit in Orlando
Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond had gathered players with impressive physical attributes before choosing Banchero as the No. 1 overall. The Magic likes versatility, and Banchero has everything they need.
Being 6-foot-10 and weighing 250 pounds, he has the size, strength, balance, and the necessary skills to make him useful on both sides of the court in all situations and against any team.
He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 47.8 shots from the field, and 33.8 percent on 3-pointers per game in his only season with Duke. Due to his versatility, he can play as the main ball-handler or facilitator.
He is a strong player inside the 3-point line despite his suffering from a lack of accuracy on 3s. Regardless, he still has what it takes to be reliable.
“I think I’ll fit in great,” Banchero said while adding that the Magic had many dynamic forwards, including Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter, Jr, who will serve as challenges for the opponents.
“That’s three guys who can dribble, pass and shoot. I think that’s going to be a huge advantage for us.”
