Magic Starting 5: Rookie Paolo Banchero to Participate in Skills Challenge

The Magic Insider lists five of the biggest NBA storylines in addition to relevant Orlando Magic news and analysis.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 15, 2023

Magic Starting 5: Rookie Paolo Banchero to Participate in Skills Challenge /

In this story:

Orlando Magic

1. PAOLO BANCHERO JOINS SKILLS CHALLENGE

Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero will play on "Team Rookies" in Saturday night's All-Star festivities alongside Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey and Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.

They will compete against Team Jazz, which features Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton.

Both teams will try and dethrone the defending champion Antetokounmpo brothers: Giannis, Thanasis and Alex.

2. MAGIC DROPS FINAL GAME BEFORE ALL-STAR BREAK

"The loss sinks the Magic further down in the standings, now four games behind the Raptors for the ninth spot in the East. As the season winds down, these games are only going to be more crucial. Hopefully the Magic can benefit from the rest during the All-Star Break and return for the second half locked in and ready to push towards the play-in."

3. MAGIC TAKE SEC FRESHMEN IN TOP 10

"Bleacher Report updated its mock draft after the deadline, awarding the Magic two SEC freshmen in the top 10 picks."

4. WEDNESDAY'S GAMES

5. NEXT MAGIC GAME

The Magic will return to the court next Thursday night at home against the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 p.m. You can watch in-market on Bally Sports Florida or out-of-market on NBA League Pass.

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Published Feb 15, 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.