Magic SF Franz Wagner Best Second-Year Player?

Franz Wagner has shined for the Orlando Magic this season, averaging 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 30, 2023

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner has quietly had a great second season in the NBA.

Behind the success stories of Paolo Banchero and Markelle Fultz, Wagner has made his mark and grown to become a consistent force in the Magic lineup.

As the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Wagner looked like a steal last season when he was named to the All-Rookie First Team. And he continues to look like a steal, ranking second on NBA.com's ranking of second-year players.

The only player to rank higher than Wagner is Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley, who is helping his team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

The only player to average more points than Wagner is Houston Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green, who is averaging 22 points per game.

Wagner ranks second in points, sixth in rebounds, while also placing third in assists and minutes.

His consistency has been well-appreciated in the Magic lineup and he'll be looked at as a source for offense, defense and leadership both on and off the court as Orlando trudges along in its rebuild, that is accelerated large in part to Wagner's development through his first two seasons.

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Published Mar 30, 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.