Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Excited for Paolo Banchero FIBA World Cup 'Experience'

Paolo Banchero is the lone Orlando Magic player representing Team USA at next month's FIBA World Cup.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 3, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero is beginning to get ready to represent Team USA at the FIBA World Cup next month.

Banchero was named to the 12-man roster after weighing opportunities with the United States and Italian national teams. Banchero's mother, Rhonda, played for the United States, while his father, Mario, is from Italy, giving him a chance to represent either country. However, he's set to don the red, white and blue this summer.

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley is excited about what the FIBA World Cup can do for Banchero and his development.

"I think it is such a great experience," Mosley said via Cody Taylor of The Rookie Wire. "To be around that high level of players and to see where you are, to learn from some other great players around the league, it allows him to raise his level and also his ability to lead and speak and use his voice for the leadership in our locker room."

Banchero, 20, is coming off a tremendous rookie season where he averaged 20 points per game. It's not hard to see the kind of potential Banchero possesses, and it's only going to get better as he grows older and gets more experience underneath his belt.

As the youngest player on Team USA, he joins Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Mikal Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Austin Reaves, Josh Hart, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler and Bobby Portis.

The FIBA World Cup begins Aug. 25 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

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Published Jul 3, 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.