BREAKING: Magic PF Paolo Banchero Wins Rookie of the Year

Paolo Banchero was the No. 1 overall pick coming into the season, and the Orlando Magic forward remained the best rookie throughout the 2022-23 campaign.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 25, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Paolo Banchero is capping off his rookie season exactly how he wanted to finish it.

The Orlando Magic forward was named the league's Rookie of the Year on the TNT broadcast Tuesday evening.

This season, the No. 1 overall pick became just the sixth rookie in NBA history to average 20 points, six points and three assists, making him a shoo-in for the award.

Banchero beat out Oklahoma City Thunder wing Jalen Williams and Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler for the honor. After winning the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four times throughout the season, it became pretty clear that Banchero was the favorite to win.

"It would mean everything," Banchero said on winning the award. "It's been something I've wanted to do for a while. Worked really hard for and just wanted to come out this year and be the best rookie, but also help my team win and have a good effect in terms of wins and just overall success. Hopefully I'm able to win and if I am it'll be a blessing."

Now, after a tremendous rookie season, Banchero will look to return in 2023-24 and help the Magic return to the playoffs after a four-year absence.

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Published Apr 25, 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.