Magic’s Paolo Banchero Named 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year

The Orlando star became the third player in franchise history to win the honor.

Paolo Banchero of the Magic has been named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced Tuesday night.

Banchero averaged a team-high 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season. The 20-year-old earned 98 of 100 first-place votes. Utah’s Walker Kessler earned the other two first-place votes

Banchero, who became the third Magic player to win the Rookie of the Year honors, joining Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Miller, shot 42.7% from the field, notched 14 double-doubles and scored at least 20 points in 40 games, which led all rookies this season. 

Banchero’s 40 games with 20 or more points tied the NBA’s rookie record previously set by LeBron James with the Cavaliers in 2003-04.

Paolo Banchero's 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year mixtape 📹#KiaROY | #NBAAwards | @Kia pic.twitter.com/PTmXHOu5yN

— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023

Miller, who won the award in 2001, currently serves as Banchero’s agent. Banchero, who was selected first in the ’22 NBA draft out of Duke, played a big part Orlando’s increase in wins this season.

The former Blue Devils star helped the Magic improve to 34-48 this season after going 20-62 in the 2021-22 campaign.