'Outstanding Young Player' Paolo Banchero Continues to Shine for Magic

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has joined some elite company this season, and Mike Brown has noticed.

Mar 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) defends Sacramento / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic may have broken its five-game win streak at the hands of the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, but Paolo Banchero's continued development remains a high point of Orlando's season.

Banchero was named an All-Star in only his sophomore season for a reason, and opponents are taking note of the emerging superstar in Florida.

Mar 21, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) reacts after scoring / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Against the Kings, Banchero added 22 points and seven rebounds despite being cold from the floor, going 8-for-18. Kings' coach Mike Brown noted that Banchero was able to hurt Sacramento even when he couldn't get his shot to fall.

"He's an outstanding young player," praised Brown. "They move him around pretty good. He can attack on the post. He can attack on the perimeter. He’s capable of hitting threes. He can iso you. So you have to mix up your coverages on them. You can’t give him the same diet, because if you give him the same diet he's also capable of finding open guys, especially on the weak side of the floor because he's so big. He's got a really good feel for the game."

Banchero has been elite at finding the open man, and recorded five assists in the loss. His understated passing game has remained underrated all season, although he leads the Magic with 5.4 assists per game on the season.

In fact, he is one of only 12 frontcourt players this season to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and five assist. Joining him are such elite players LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Kevin Durant, to name a few. Banchero, Zion Williamson, and Alperen Sengun are the only three under the age of 25, which suggests that the new era of frontcourt players will be a bit of do-all talents.

The Magic have played selfless basketball all season, and have been gritty on both ends of the floor, and the buy-in from an emerging superstar who agrees to play team-first basketball suggests that the Magic are a team to watch for the next several years.