2022 NBA Re-Draft: Magic PF Paolo Banchero Remains No. 1?

Paolo Banchero was the top pick from the Orlando Magic just 10 months ago. Does he stay atop the list?

Jeremy Brener | May 9, 2023

Brad Penner/USA Today Sports

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic was proven time and time again throughout the season that it made the right choice taking Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick.

The Athletic validated that choice once again by tabbing him as the No. 1 pick in its 2022 NBA Re-Draft exercise.

"The answer has to be Banchero at No. 1 if only because of the offensive upside he’s shown," The Athletic writes. "No rookie has shown more potential to be a No. 1 option for a team down the road. Banchero averaged nearly 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists per night, but more importantly, he did it as the guy who is at the top of scouting reports every night for Orlando."

Over 72 games this year, Banchero averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, joining Blake Griffin, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Larry Johnson, Larry Bird, Walter David as the only first-year player since the NBA-ABA merger that has averaged at least 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, per ESPN.

For his efforts, Banchero was the only unanimous selection for the All-Rookie First Team and received 98 out of a possible 100 votes for the league's Rookie of the Year honors.

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Published May 9, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.