Blue Devil Country

Duke basketball product explodes for career-high in Magic loss

Duke basketball great Paolo Banchero devoured his first 30-burger as a pro.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
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On Saturday, recent Duke basketball one-and-done Paolo Banchero became the second-fastest Orlando Magic rookie in history to score at least 30 points in a game.

RELATED: Stacking up all 26 Duke one-and-dones in history

Shaquille O'Neal achieved the feat three games into the 1992-93 season. Banchero did it in only his 10th outing as a mere 19-year-old, finishing with a game-high 33 points while shooting 14-for-26 from the field and 5-for-5 from the charity stripe in the Magic's 126-123 home overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Seattle native also grabbed 15 rebounds, marking another career-high, in his 40 minutes of action. Banchero, who went No. 1 overall at the 2022 NBA Draft after his phenomenal Duke basketball campaign and is the early frontrunner for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, is now averaging 22.9 points and 8.4 rebounds.

Again, he's still a teenager for a few more days.

Four of Banchero's points came in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter as he ran the point seamlessly and guided Orlando to overtime. But he went scoreless in the extra five minutes as the Kings outgunned the Magic when it mattered the most.

RELATED: Four-time NBA champ Draymond Green lauds Duke product

Fellow Duke basketball product and Magic teammate Wendell Carter Jr. added 17 points, nine boards, six assists, and one steal in his 39 minutes as a starter alongside Paolo Banchero in the frontcourt. Carter fouled out, though, with 20 seconds to play in overtime.

Orlando (2-8) next plays at 7:15 p.m. ET Monday against the visiting Houston Rockets.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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