Magic Rookies 'Better Than Expected' So Far?

Paolo Banchero and Caleb Houstan have been crucial for the Orlando Magic so far this season.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 10, 2023

Magic Rookies 'Better Than Expected' So Far? /

ORLANDO - Fewer rookie classes are impressing in the NBA more than the Orlando Magic.

The Magic didn't make much of a splash in free agency, so Paolo Banchero and Caleb Houstan have played a big role in the growth of the team.

Bleacher Report identifies Banchero and Houstan as the team's top offseason pickups, and graded the Magic with an A-.

"Banchero has looked like a seasoned veteran already as a 20-year-old and should be the eventual winner of Rookie of the Year," Bleacher Report writes. "He leads the Magic in scoring (21.4 points per game) while grabbing 6.7 rebounds and handing out 3.9 assists. His shooting has only gotten better as the season has progressed, which is now up to 41.1 percent from three over his last 11 games. Orlando should be thrilled with its selection, as Banchero's combination of size, strength and athleticism is unique even in today's NBA."

Banchero has the makings of an instant star, but Houstan has also impressed in his limited role.

"Houstan is hitting 37.3 percent of his threes as a rookie in 17.4 minutes a night," Bleacher Report writes. "A bigger role awaits if the Magic move veterans like Terrence Ross and Gary Harris at the deadline. Overall, the rookies have been as good, or better, than expected thus far."

With two more top picks coming to Orlando this offseason, another Magic draft like 2022's could propel the team to return to the postseason.

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Published Jan 10, 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.